Concerns about a sea lion have prompted the closure of the fish cleaning stations at North Boat Harbour.
Manager of Operational Services with the City of Powell River, Shawn Cator says Fisheries and Oceans Canada has made the call because of concerns about the animal becoming habituated to humans.
He says it’s believed to be the same sea lion that was in the area last year that is getting used to humans as a food source.
“Some people are feeding it but I think for the most part because of the fishing that’s happening this time of the year, and the fish stations we have down there, that’s probably significantly contributing to why it’s there.”
Cator says fishers are encouraged to clean fish on their boats while out on the water or wait until they are home. He says they are hoping that once the source of food has been removed that the sea lion will move on to another area.
