According to the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game website the western subgroup of Steller Sea Lions remains endangered and the eastern subgroup has been delisted. These specific animals are on the very eastern edge of the western subgroup and have been increasing in number. At this rookery there appeared to be a slightly more than one pup for every two adult females I saw. I believe the tour captain mentioned about 150 being born earlier in the season. In June we took a tour out into Prince William Sound and saw no Sea Lions and the the tour captain commented that the local population had not been reliably present this summer. There were zero Orcas sighted on either tour and not exceptionally so for this summer. :-/. Not sure what that might mean. The Orcas and the Sea Lion prey heavily on Salmon. Visit ADFG.Alaska.Gov for more information regarding current status and recent trends.
