The population of California sea lions along the Oregon coast appears higher than normal this year.
Biologists say it happens every few years, and it may be due to El Nino, the Pacific Ocean warming cycle.The scientists say El Nino has pushed many of the so-called "forage fish" -- such as herring, squid, hake, sardine and anchovies -- north from California into Oregon waters.
Jim Rice of Oregon State University says the OSU Marine Mammal Stranding Network has gotten plenty of calls in the past month about the sea lions.
But Rice says don't worry, the sea lions are not stranded -- they're just following the food, and it's getting a little crowded.
-- Associated Press
i have never seen so many of these not so little fellas in the water. they cruzed down the channel splashing and barking. i think they wanted us to know they were there and we were in their water. i was talking to casey in between sets and a big one splashed about a foot from the nose of my board. casey saw the whole thing go up and out of the water and just miss the tip of my board. it really scared the crap out of me cause i didn't see the lion until it was already underwater. once i saw it leap out the water next to casey i felt a little better. the way i decided to look at the situation was there was more than enough food in the ocean for the other larger animals that wear grey suits. we both got some good lefts, and i almost got a small tube on a right. the lip of the wave just smashed me in the side of the head. it has been a good run of surf this december for those who chose to go out in the sub-freezing temperatures.
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