Investigators Find More Sea Lions Shot And Killed On Puget Sound

There are new details about the seal lions being shot and killed on Puget Sound. State Wildlife Officials now confirm nearly a dozen of the animals were gunned down and that number is expected to get even higher.

Q13 Fox News talked with local charter fisherman Gary Krein of All Star Charters in Everett, who says he's seen an increase in seals and sea lions on Puget Sound.

"Some of them start following a boat, or boats and they look for that everyday," said Krein.

Krein knows the waters of the Puget Sound inside and out. He's spent decades taking folks fishing on his charter boat. He can spot California seal lions from a mile away lunching on his catch.

"They are so big, it's over with they take your line and they take everything instantly," said Krein.

Gary says the sea lions have been robbing him blind but he doesn't believe in harming his foe.

"You know that's against the law and I certainly wouldn't advocate it," said Krein.

Someone else out of there is shooting and killing sea lions. The Northwest Marine Mammal Stranding Network has 19 reports of dead sea lions washing ashore from Kingston to Olympia. Ten of them were shot dead; including two federally protected stellar sea lions.

Gary says he gets it, but thinks his fellow fisherman need to check their anger.

"I know that it's frustrating, we do lose a lot of fish to them, we lose some gear," said Krein.

Seals and sea lions have been hassling fisherman in Puget Sound for years, but Gary says there are ways to stop them from stealing your fish and it doesn't require using a gun.

"It's an M-80 with sand in both ends to cause it to sink and explode," said Krein.

Only commercial fisherman and charter captains can use the explosives. And, thanks to a loophole in the law you can actually shoot a California sea lion if you feel threatened.

Gary says as long as there are fish in the Sound the sea lions will be there. The challenge is keeping them away from the salmon buffet line in a peaceful way.

Investigators are still analyzing the bullets found in the sea lions skulls to determine if they came from the same gun. If caught, the culprit could face fines up to $50,000. Anyone with information about the killings should call 1-800-853-1964.