Historical Exploitation of the California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus, in México

ALFREDO ZAVALA-GONZÁLEZ and ERIC MELLINK

Introduction or have been lost since we reviewed from Isla Tiburón to Isla Ángel de la them, several years ago. Guarda, and perhaps other islands, in California sea lions, Zalophus califor­ Sea lion hunting in México can be the Sea of Cortés (or Gulf of Califor­ nianus, have been exploited for centu­ placed into four historical periods as nia) (McGee, 1898). They killed them ries along the Pacific coast of the United defined by some of the nation’s politi­ by hitting them on the head and nose States and northern Mexico, originally cal events: Prehispanic (to 1533), Colo­ with rocks (Felger and Moser, 1985). for subsistence and later for commer­ nial (1534–1821), Independent (1822– The Concaac used sea lions (McGee cial purposes. Such use has been revised 1911), and Postrevolutionary (after also used the term “seal,” although no for California (Cass, 1985), but not for 1911). The dates of these periods are populations of true seals are resident in Mexico. This paper reviews the history somewhat arbitrary, but give a general the Sea of Cortés, and northern elephant of California sea lion exploitation in framework in which actions and poli­ seals, Mirounga angustirostris, are only Mexico, based on all published and ar­ cies can be understood. We ended the occasionaly encountered) for food, and chival sources available to us. Some of prehispanic period symbolicaly in 1533, they probably used the teeth to make har­ these sources have become unavailable when Bahía de La Paz was discovered poons to hunt sea turtles (McGee, 1898; and the Spanish stepped for the first Felger and Moser, 1985). Skins were time on the Peninsula de Baja Califor­ used to make footwear and groundcloths The authors are with the Dirección Regional nia. The year 1821 marked the ending and for protection against rain (Felger Baja California, Zona de Protección de Flora y Fauna “Islas del Golfo de California,” Calle of the Independence War, and 1911 and Moser, 1985). McGee (1898) re­ del Puerto #375, altos 25, Fraccionamiento marked the step-down of Porfirio Díaz ported finding pieces of skin and bones Playa Ensenada, 22800 Ensenada, B.C, México, as long-time President of México. of “seal,” and a basket whose bottom and the Departamento de Ecología, Centro de Investigación Científica y Educación Superior had been covered with “seal” skin at one de Ensenada, Apartado Postal 2732, Ensenada, Prehispanic Mexico ranchería (a small congregation of huts) Baja California, México. U.S. mailing address (for EM) is CICESE, P.O. Box 434844, San Prehispanic maritime tribes used Cal­ on Isla Tiburón. Diego, CA 92143. Views or opinions expressed ifornia sea lions for meat, shelter, cloth­ In 1910, Lumholtz (1990) recorded or implied are those of the authors and do not ing, and the manufacture of tools (As­ Híac ed O’odham (or Sand Papago) represent the position of the National Marine Fisheries Service. chmann, 1959). At least in northwest­ use of sea lions at current-day Puerto ern Baja California, on the Pacific Peñasco. The sea lions were killed by coast, sea lions were extensively used hitting them on the nose with rocks, 1–2 millenia before European contact and their skins were used to make san­ ABSTRACT—The exploitation of Califor­ (Hubbs and Roden, 1964). Native in­ dals and straps. nia sea lions, Zalophus californianus, in habitants seem to have trekked peri­ Mexican waters can be divided into four odically to the shores of Laguna Ojo Colonial Mexico periods as defined by political character­ istics of the country: Prehispanic, Colo­ de Liebre (or Scammons Lagoon) to Spanish involvement with the Pacif­ nial, Independent, and Postrevolutionary. feast upon a number of resources, in­ ic Ocean resources along the Californi­ During the first period (pre 1533), Native cluding sea lions (Henderson, 1972). as was basically focused on the extrac­ Americans took sea lions at low levels. We found no further records of prehis­ tion of pearls and the use of sea otters During the second (1534–1821) and the toric sea lion use in Mexico, but at least for their skins (Mosk, 1931; Ogden, third (1822–1911) periods, most exploi­ tation was by foreigners and was inci­ two Indian groups, studied after Euro­ 1932; Gerhard, 1956). During the pur­ dental to other marine mammal harvests. pean contact, can be used as surrogates suit of these species, sea lions and other During the Postrevolutionary period (after for the precontact exploitation, as their marine mammals were given little at­ 1911), sea lions were exploited by Mexican technology had not been modified by tention, if at all. and U.S. citizens for several commercial uses. Exploitation officially ended in 1982, the time their hunts were recorded. Sea otters were heavily hunted in although some small-scale poaching still The Concaac (or Seri), a seafaring the North Pacific as well, and when occurs. tribe of central Sonora, hunted sea lions the returns from these hunts began to

62(1), 2000 35 Figure 1.—Sea lion rookeries and commercial hunting sites in the central-northern part of the Gulf of California, Mex. dwindle, a Russian-American coalition focus of this exploitation, some Cali­ tain O’Cain, the master, purchased from (1803–1812) and independent Russian fornia sea lions were also taken. This Spanish officials and missionaries. Sea hunters (1809–1823) heavily exploited early 19th century period is best de­ otter hunting at this time caused such a southern sea otters, Enhydra lutris, in scribed by Ogden (1933), from which population depletion between El Rosa­ addition to northern and Guadalupe fur we obtained the following extracts. rio and Santo Domingo, that governor seals, Callorhinus ursinus and Arcto­ In 1804, 3 months were enough for José Arrillaga was prompted to report it cephalus townsendi, respectively, along the crew of the vessel O’Cain to pro­ to the Viceroy. The number of Califor­ the Pacific coast of both Upper and duce 1,100 skins, probably mostly from nia sea lions taken during these hunts the Lower California. Although not the sea otters, in addition to 700 that cap­ was not recorded.

36 Marine Fisheries Review In 1806, two Russian-Boston ships alistic scheme, the Russian sea otter to exploit several marine resources, in­ hunted along the Pacific shore of Baja hunters were forced to seek an arrange­ cluding sea lions, from Altata, west of California. Expert Aleut hunting gangs ment with Mexico. Some arrangements Culiacán, to the mouth of the Colorado were stationed for long periods on dif­ were made, but the resulting hunts were River (Sierra and Sierra, 1977). ferent islands. From June to August of mostly restricted to the north of San The oil of the California sea lion is that year, one of the ships had taken sea Diego (Ogden, 1933). Only in one in­ of low quality and was used in the mid otter and [Guadalupe fur] “seal” skins stance, in 1828, was the Baikal, a ship 19th century mainly by tanners to pro­ worth $60,000 in the Canton market. In bound for San Quintín to load salt, cess leather (Cronise, 1868). Anecdotal following years up to 1812, this hunt­ allowed to carry two canoes to hunt evidence indicates that the period from ing effort increased, still focused on sea for sea otters, of which they took 63 1860 to 1888 brought intensive sea lion otters and fur seals, but California sea between San Diego and San Quintín harvests, especially for oil extraction lions were also taken for their skins. (Ogden, 1933). It is unknown whether (Banfield, 1974; Ronald et al., 1982). Sea lions have been particularly use­ sea lions were hunted on this trip. Later, trade in hides (for glue and ful for various commodities. For exam­ On the other hand, by the end of low quality leather) and trimmings (the ple, when Fort Ross, on the northern the Spanish rule of Mexico, foreign genitalia, lips with whiskers attached, California coast, was a Russian camp, seamen had begun to explore the west and gall bladders of bulls) developed sea lions at the nearby Farallon Islands coast of Baja California for sea mam­ (Rowley, 1929; Banfield, 1974). Pup were a steady source of meat and mals, including sea lions (Henderson, skins were of low quality and of little other products (Ogden, 1933). Howev­ 1972). Although these whalers focused commercial interest, although they were er, being a “maintenance activity,” sea mostly on the gray whale, Eschrichtius commercialized to some extent in Cali­ lion hunts were conducted without re­ robustus, they also took sea elephants fornia (Cronise, 1868; Rowley, 1929). cords of any kind. In this sense, it is and “seals” (apparently sea lion) for Adult sea lions were hunted along particularly relevant that the hunting their oil (Henderson, 1972). the Pacific coasts of both California gangs employed in México were of In the Sea of Cortés, sea lion hunts and Baja California, and Scammon Aleut origin, as sea lions were a funda­ were unrestricted during the early days (1872, 1874) felt that thousands of sea mental item in their culture. Sea lions of independence. To regulate and termi­ lions were taken. However, there were supplied them with meat, blubber, oil, nate the “excesses of the seal hunters,” no means to obtain accurate accounts intestines, stomach, and skins for their President Ignacio Comonfort granted on the number of sea lions and other bidarkas (Scammon, 1874). It is unrea­ “exclusive privileges to fish the seal or marine mammals killed along the Pacif­ sonable to believe that they did not kill sea calf1 along the coasts and islands ic coast (Taylor, 1869). Browne (1869) any sea lions while stationed on Baja of the Gulf of California” for an 8-year considered that these hunts had not at­ California islands. However, they prob­ period to Manuel Mújica, on 6 June tracted as much attention as they de­ ably did not engage in the type of sea 1856. Mújica was to pay the govern­ served, as “myriads of seals and sea lion drives used to on the Aleutian Is­ ment 80 cents per gallon of oil (Lluch- lions line the shores and fall an easy lands as reported by Scammon (1874). Belda, 1969). Two years later (30 Sep­ prey to the hunter.” His statement, and The Russian-Boston hunters hunted tember 1858), Luis Rivas Góngora was also those of Taylor (1869), apparently illegally, perhaps most of the time. They given a 10-year permit to take sea lions referred to only the Pacific coast of sometimes blatantly disobeyed Span­ and whales in the Sea of Cortés (Sierra Baja California. ish officers, backed by their firearms, and Sierra, 1977). While sea lions were intensively and even captured three Spanish of­ During the 1860’s, the government hunted along the Pacific coast, the ac­ ficers in Ensenada; other times they of Benito Juárez decreed that the hunt­ tivity was apparently much less intense avoided them (Ogden, 1933). On 16 ing of sea lions and whales was to be in the Sea of Cortés (LeBoeuf et al., April 1811 the Spanish government done according to arrangements with 1983). During the late 1880’s sea lions issued a decree allowing the free take formal obligations. Later, in 1872 new were hunted for their skin and oil on is­ of sea lions, whales, and sea otters in rules allowed for more intensive har­ lands in the Midriff Region of the Sea of all its New World domains (Sierra and vests (Sierra and Sierra, 1977). At the Cortés, especially in northern Ángel de Sierra, 1977), a decree that seemed to same time there was a deep interest la Guarda and San Pedro Mártir (Bahre, have had little effect on the commercial in the development of Baja California. 1983). In 1884, fishermen from Mulegé exploitation of sea lions. These two factors could explain the ap­ killed 287 sea lions, and in 1905 sea parent shift during this period to an in­ lions were hunted from small fishing Independent Mexico dustrialized hunt of sea lions (LeBoeuf skiffs near San Pedro Mártir, Ángel de One early policy of the young Re­ et al., 1983). In this context a nonex­ la Guarda, and San Lorenzo (Nelson, public of Mexico, the nationalization of clusive concession allowed a company 1921). Such hunts were sporadic and commerce, included the appropriation disorganized, and Nelson (1921) con­ of fishery resources in ways beneficial sidered that the numbers of sea lions to coastal communities in 1829 (Sierra 1 A rather uncommon denomination for the sea were too small to warrant systematic and Sierra, 1977). Under this nation­ lion. exploitation.

62(1), 2000 37 Sometimes sea lions were killed for resources. During the Carranza regime contradiction occured in 1971 when the immediate use. For example, during the (1917–20), all of the old fishing and hunting calendar indicated a complete late 19th century, eggers (collectors of marine mammal hunting concessions prohibition, but when there was also a seabird eggs) on the Farrallon Islands were cancelled, and various special disposition by the Dirección de Pesca killed sea lions to supply oil for their decrees and regulations were issued. e Industrias Conexas allowing the hunt lamps (Nordhoff, 1875). Egging was These administrative actions created of sea lions from 1 May to 15 July. widespread in the Sea of Cortés in the uncertainty and tended to disorganize We cannot determine whether this rep­ late 19th century, and it is likely that the fishing industry (Bell, 1923). How­ resented an experimental hunt or a po­ sea lions were incidentally killed there. ever, new entrepreneurs soon appeared litical favor superimposed on the prohi­ Explorers in the Sea of Cortés also (Sierra and Sierra, 1977), and sea lion bition, or an administrative error. killed sea lions on occasion to obtain hunting was again allowed in 1918 (Bo­ Capture of sea lions for zoos, aquar­ oil for their lamps, as noted by Hardy letín Oficial de la Secretaría de Agri­ ia, and exhibitions, small but lucrative, (1829). cultura y Fomento, 20 June). During developed in California in the 1920’s At the end of the 19th century, under the regime of President Álvaro Obre­ (Banfield, 1974; Mate, 1978; Ronald et the rulership of Porfirio Diaz, several gón (1920–24), fishing, including the al., 1982). This activity often took nurs­ concessions to hunt sea lions were hunting of sea lions, was declared free, ing females, leaving the pups to starve granted to Mexican citizens. However, though subject to a small exploitation (Bonnot, 1931). Whether any captures the grantees mostly sought to sell their fee (Bell, 1923). After the political of this sort were carried out in Mexican rights to Americans, Canadians, or Jap­ turmoil of the Revolution settled, the waters is unknown. anese (Bell, 1923). The number of sea Mexican government slowly imposed Although the industrialization of pe­ lions hunted under such arrangements a more orderly administration, in the troleum products reduced the market was not recorded. evolution of which the hunt of sea lions for marine mammal oil early in the Several factors caused the termina­ went through different stages. 20th century, between 1930 and 1945 tion of sea lion hunting, or almost so, From 1930 to 1940 there was an sea lions were still hunted. Along the at the end of this period. The hunt of sea open hunt (Lluch-Belda, 1969; Zavala- Pacific coast of Baja California, some lions brought a steady decline in their González, 1993). From 1941 to 1955, animals were killed for their skins. In numbers along the coast of Alta Califor­ sea lion hunting was allowed (but a 1939 a large number of undressed car­ nia into the late 1870’s (Bonnot, 1928), closed season was in effect), from 1956 casses were found on Islas San Beni­ and it can be presumed that it caused a to 1969 there was a total prohibition, tos (Abbott, 1939). Other animals were similar reduction on the coast of Baja and from 1976 to 1981 hunting was killed for their trimmings which were California. As a result, this species was again allowed, with seasonal closures sent to the Chinese market, but eco­ declared protected in California in 1909, (yearly issues of the Cuadro Oficial de nomic pressures and unsettled political an action that caused a halt in the gen­ Vedas and dispositions by the Direc­ conditions in China reduced this market eral trade in sea lion products in the ción de Pesca e Industrias Conexas of for Baja California products by the late United States (Rowley, 1929). Howev­ different years). The hunt was prohibit­ 1930’s (Abbott, 1939). er, the Mexican concessions were still in ed to foreigners in 1976 (Diario Oficial Also, during the late 1930’s sea lion effect. Whether the U.S. protection re­ de la Federación, 13 February), and a were hunted along the Pacific coast of duced the hunt in Mexico by restricting general prohibition came in effect in Baja California by the Dr. W. J. Ross the landing of sea lion products in Cal­ 1982 (Secretaría de Pesca, Cuadro Ofi­ Company, to produce canned dog and ifornia ports, or increased it since the cial de Vedas). cat food (Abbott, 1939), under a con­ markets were still available and had a There are two apparent contradic­ cession from the Mexican government. reduced supply, is not known. Neverthe­ tions in the previous chronology. Hunt­ The operation, similar to that of con­ less, declining prices of sea lion oil and ing calendars for 1941–55 indicated the temporary whalers, made use of three hides eventualy made their hunt unprof­ closed season was from 1 May to 15 ships, a refrigeration-equipped “killer” itable (Bonnot, 1928). July, which seems clearly an error. A ship, a factory ship, and a tender. Fry 1946 disposition by the Dirección de (1939) speculated that the very high Postrevolutionary Mexico Pesca e Industrias Conexas and all later California sea lion counts in California The Mexican Revolution (1910–21) calendars indicate this period as the in 1939 could have resulted from indi­ may have had little affect on sea lion open season. Also, all later hunting was viduals moving north to escape those hunting, especially along the Pacific precisely in this period. At that time the Baja California hunts. coast, as this war was little felt in information was presented in tables that Members of the San Diego Society Baja California, and the short-termed showed closed and open seasons with of Natural History, lead by Clinton presidents of the country during it shaded and unshaded bars; the meaning G. Abbott, requested that the Mexican were preoccupied with political mat­ of the shading on the calendars from government impede such activities. On ters. Nevertheless, even before the rev­ 1941 to 1955 appears to have been re­ 8 February 1938, Miguel A. Quevedo, olution ended Mexico began to reor­ versed (the tables, revised by A. Zavala head of Mexico’s Forestry, Wildlife ganize the administration of its natural in 1991, are no longer available). A true and Fisheries Department, reported that

38 Marine Fisheries Review Table 1.—Mexican production of sea lion products from he had given orders not to extend the In hunts by nonConcaac hunters, oil, the Sea of Cortés. permit beyond its due date of 10 Febru­ meat, skin, and trimmings were used ary 1938 (C. G. Abbott file, SDNHM at first, but later only oil was extracted Production (kg) Archives, box 186). The operations (Lluch-Belda, 1969, 1970). Sea lion Product 19361 19422 19432 19513 19522 19532 seemed to resume, however, in Novem­ meat and skins were not utilized after Oil 16,245 31,674 50,000 15,430 22,049 ber 1938 (Abbott, 1939), but ceased the 1940’s, in part due to the closure Meat 149 15,000 Trimmings 23 25 43 75 some time thereafter. of the tannery in Guaymas (Zavala- Skins 509 76 In addition to this commercial hunt, González, 1993). Altogether, oil was 1 Boletín Forestal y de Caza y Pesca. crew members of recreational U.S. fish­ the major commodity obtained from 2 Anuarios Estadísticos de Actividad Pesquera en Aguas ing vessels often killed sea lions upon sea lions, while the trimmings were the Territoriales Mexicanas. sight, as they were considered compet­ second most important product. Extrac­ 3 Lluch-Belda (1969). itors (Abbott, 1939). One such killing tion of sea lion oil peaked in 1951 at 50 on Islas Coronado, reported in a letter metric tons (Table 1), and was obtained use the animals completely, and con­ to the San Diego Union (13 July 1939), at least until 1966, and possibly into duct censuses before and after the hunt. had dramatic effects on some specta­ the early 1970’s. Most of the hunting Compliance with the established season tors, but the number of sea lions killed was performed at Granito, San Pedro was the only rule not violated, and the in this context was probably not large. Nolasco, San Pedro Mártir, and some cull, although restricted to adult males, In 1947 sea lions were still hunted beaches of Ángel de la Guarda, notably always exceeded the 50% limit (Lluch- on islands off the Pacific coast of Baja Los Machos and Los Cantiles. Belda, 1969). California for their skin and oil, but, An important market for shark-liver From 10 to 12 sea lions were killed according to the Mexican fishermen, oil developed after 1937 (Byers, 1940). daily at any particular site, because the returns were less than the “damage” This led to a shark long-line fishery that was the most that could be pro­ caused by them (Martínez, 1947). Sim­ along the west coast of Mexico, in cessed. Between 250 and 600 animals ilarly, commercial hunts for sea lions which sea lions were used as bait. Also, were killed per season, with 400 being by U.S. companies along Baja Cali­ sea lion oil was apparently used to a more realistic figure (Aurioles-Gam­ fornia’s Pacific coast were made from dilute shark-liver oil. From the early bóa and Zavala-González, 1994). Be­ 1940 to as late as 1955, but high ex­ 1980’s to well into the 1990’s, the shark tween 1942 and 1964, the commercial penses made the activity unprofitable fishery gained momentum in Mexico. sea lion hunts were almost exclusively (Lluch-Belda, 1969). During the late Again, sea lions, notably pups, became made by Sonoran permittees, mostly 1950’s, some sea lions were reportedly a common, although illegal, bait (Bahre, based at Guaymas. hunted for human consumption, and 1983, and personal observ.). The hunting party was composed of others were killed apparently by U.S. In the early and mid 1970’s some a hunter, a renderer (the person that anglers along the Pacific coast of Baja people, at least from Guaymas, killed boiled the meat to render the fat), and 3 California (Van Gelder, 1960). There sea lions to make jackets for their per­ or 4 butchers. The hunt was mostly re­ was no apparent use of sea lions during sonal use (J. Mendoza2). In addition, stricted to adult male sea lions, not only the mid 1960’s on the Pacific islands of even today members of some fishing because that was the rule, but also be­ Baja California (Rice et al., 1965), nor crews shoot at sea lions, as they con­ cause they produced more oil (Lluch- has there been any since then. sider them a nuisance (Gallo-Reynoso, Belda, 1969). In the Sea of Cortés the story was 1986). A camp was established on the beach different. During the 1930’s, sea lion as close as possible to a rookery. Using hunts were officially sanctioned and Modern Hunts in stealth to avoid scaring sea gulls or sea fluctuated with markets and other fac­ the Sea of Cortés lions, the team approached the rookery tors (Lluch-Belda, 1969). Around the The intent to regulate the harvest of and shot a male sea lion, with a fire­ 1930’s, the Concaac hunted sea lions sea lions and other marine mammals arm, from 10–15 m away. As one of using both rocks and rifles (Malkin, led to a formal procedure in the late the butchers worked on the animal, 1962). Though the meat was used, the 1960’s in which 1-year permits were the other proceeded with the hunt. The sale of the skins seems to have been the granted by the Dirección General de dead sea lion was skinned and the layer hunt’s major purpose, as the Concaac Pesca to kill adult sea lions. The permit of subcutaneous fat was removed and survived in the early 20th century ap­ holder was required to pay the expens­ taken to the campground, where it was parently by adopting commercial har­ es of a biologist to supervise the cull, rendered. The rest of the animal and the vesting of resources, including also comply with the hunting season (from skin were left on the beach or thrown in that of sharks and other fishes (Spicer, 15 May to 15 July), kill no more than the sea (Lluch-Belda, 1969). Although 1978). Interestingly, the ending of sea 50% of the adult males in the rookery, elephant seals are sometimes encoun­ lion hunting by the Concaac might have tered in the Sea of Cortés, in addition resulted from the reduction in the skin to their being very rare, they were too 2 Jorge Mendoza, Procudaría Federal de Pro­ market (Malkin 1962). Currently, the tección al Ambiente, México, D.F. Personal large for the hunting teams to handle, Concaac do not hunt sea lions. commun., 1997. and it is unlikely that they were ever

62(1), 2000 39 included in the hunt. After a couple of lion Zalophus californianus, in the Gulf of 7, Idaho State Col. Mus., Pocatello, Idaho, California. Cien. Mar. 20:535–553. 59 p. weeks of hunting and rendering fat, the Bahre, C. 1983. Human impact; the midriff Martinez, M. 1947. Baja California; reseña his­ oil and trimmings were taken to port islands. In T. J. Case and M. L. Cody (Editors), tórica del territorio y su flora. Botas, México, and shipped to their markets. Island biogeography in the Sea of Cortez, p. D. F., 154 p. 290–306. Univ. Calif. Press, Berkeley. Mate, B. R. 1978. California sea lion. In D. Haley Banfield, A. W. F. 1974. The mammals of Canada. (Editor), Marine mammals of eastern North Concluding Remarks Univ. Toronto Press, Ontario, 438 p. Pacific and Arctic waters, p. 173–177. Pacific In 1966 10,366 adult California sea Bell, P. L. 1923. Mexican west coast and Lower Search Press, Seattle. California a commercial and industrial survey. McGee, W. J. 1898. The Seri Indians. 17th Annu. lions were counted in the seven largest Spec. Agents Ser. 222, U.S. Dep. Commer., Rep. Bur. Am. Ethnol., Washington, 298 p. breeding rookeries in the Sea of Cortés. Wash., D.C., 340 p. Mosk, S. A. 1931. Spanish voyages and pearl Bonnot, P. 1928. The sea lion of California. Calif. fisheries in the Gulf of California: a study in In 1991 the tally on the same rookeries Fish Game 14:1–16. economic history. Univ. Calif., Los Angeles, was 17,486 (Zavala-González, 1993). ______1931. The California sea lion census Ph.D. thesis, 334 p. This increase occurred despite the fact of 1930. Calif. Fish Game 17:150–155. Nelson, E. W. 1921. Lower California and its nat­ Browne, J. R. 1869. Resources of the Pacific ural resources. Mem. Nat. Acad. Sci. 1:1–194. that some killing of sea lions happened Slope. H. H. Bancroft, San Francisco, 674 p. Nordhoff, C. 1875. Northern California, Oregon, throughout that period (indeed, albeit Byers, R. D. 1940. The California shark industry. and the Sanwich Islands. Harper & Brothers, illegally, some killing has persisted to Calif. Fish Game 26:23–28. N.Y., 256 p. Cass, V. L. 1985. Exploitation of California sea Ogden, A. 1932. The Californias in Spain’s date). lions, Zalophus californianus, prior to 1972. Pacific otter trade, 1775–1795. Pacific Hist. The increase in numbers of sea lions Mar. Fish. Rev. 47(X):36–38. Rev. 1:444–469. Cronise, T. F. 1868. The natural wealth of Cal­ ______. 1933. Russian sea-otter and seal hunt­ since 1966 has resulted in increased in­ ifornia. Comprising duly history, geography, ing on the California coast 1803–1841. Calif. teractions between them and fishermen. topography, and scenery; climate; agriculture Hist. Soc. Quart. 12:217–239. Sea lions are increasingly being entan­ and commercial products; geology, zoology, Rice, D. W., K. W. Kenyon, and D. Lluch B. and botany; mineralogy, mines, and mining 1965. Pinniped populations at Islas Guadal­ gled in fishing gear (Zavala-González processes; manufactures; steamship lines, rail­ upe, San Benito, and Cedros, Baja Califor­ and Mellink, 1997), and fishermen have roads, and commerce; immigration, a detailed nia, in 1965. Trans. San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist. started to complain about damage to description of each county. Bancroft, San 14:74–84. Francisco, 744 p. Ronald, K., J. Selley, and P. Healey. 1982. Seals. their fishing gear; some also have re­ Felger, R. S., and M. B. Moser. 1985. People of In J. A. Chapman and G. A. Feldhamer (Edi­ quested that sea lions be culled to lower the desert and sea, ethnobotany of the Seri tors), Wild mammals of North America, p. Indians. Univ. Ariz. Press, Tucson, 438 p. 769–827. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, Balti­ their numbers. At the same time there Fry, D. H. 1939. A winter influx of sea lions more. has been an emergence of environ­ from Lower California. Calif. Fish Game Rowley, J. 1929. 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Reseña burn & Bentley, Lond., 540 p. histórica de la Pesca en México (1821–1977). might also try to press the Mexican gov­ Henderson, D. A. 1972. Men & whales at Scam­ Dep. Pesca, México, D.F., 95 p. ernment in the direction of their own mon’s Lagoon. Baja Calif. Travels Ser. 29, Spicer, E. H. 1978. Capturing the feeling. In viewpoints or interests. So, it is forse­ Dawson’s Book Shop, Los Angeles, 313 p. D. Burckhalter, The Seris, p. 5–12 [preface]. Hubbs, C. L., and G. I. Roden. 1964. Oceanog­ Univ. Ariz. Press, Tucson. able that in the near future some con­ raphy and marine life along the Pacific coast Taylor, A. 1869. A sketch of the settlement and flicts will emerge on the management of middle America. In R. C. West (Editor), exploration of Lower California. H. H. Ban­ of California sea lions in México. Handbook of Middle American Indians, vol. croft, San Francisco, 177 p. 1: Natural environment and early cultures, p. Van Gelder, R. G. 1960. Results of the Puritan- 143–186. Univ. Texas Press, Austin. American Museum of Natural History expedi­ Acknowledgments LeBoeuf, B. J., D. Aurioles, R. Condit, C. Fox, tion to western Mexico: 10. Marine mammals R. Gisiner, R. Romero, and F. Sinsel. 1983. from the coasts of Baja California and the We thank Carlos Esquivel, Claudia Size and distribution of the California sea lion Tres Marías Islands, México. Am. Mus. Novi­ Hernández, and Jaime Luévano for their population in Mexico. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. tates 1992:1–27. assistance during the literature search. 43:77–85. Zavala-González, A. 1990. La población del Lobo Lumholtz, M. A. C. 1990. New trails in Mexico: marino común Zalophus californianus cali­ W. L. Hobart provided important edito­ an account of one year’s exploration in fornianus (Lesson 1828) en las islas del Golfo rial assistance. Our gratitude to all of north-western Sonora, Mexico, and south­ de California, México. Univ. Nac. Autónoma them. western Arizona, 1909–1910. Univ. Ariz. Méx., México, D.F., B.S. thesis, 253 p. Press, Tucson, 411 p. ______. 1993. Biología poblacional del lobo Lluch-Belda, D. 1969. El Lobo marino de Cali­ marino de California, Zalophus californianus Literature Cited fornia Zalophus californianus (Lesson, 1828) californianus (Lesson 1828) en la Región Abbott, C. G. 1939. Sea-lion slaughter. Bird-Lore Allen 1880; observaciones sobre su ecología y de las Grandes Islas, Golfo de California, 41:265–270. explotación. Instituto Mexicano de los Recur­ México. Univ. Nac. Autónoma Méx., México, Aschmann, H. 1959. The central desert of Baja sos Naturales Renovables, México, D. F., 69 p. D.F., M.S. thesis, 79 p. California: demography and ecology. Univ. ______. 1970. Crecimiento y mortalidad del ______and E. Mellink. 1997. Entanglement Calif. Press, Berkeley, 315 p. Lobo marino de California Zalophus califor­ of California sea lions Zalophus california­ Aurioles-Gamboa, D., and A. Zavala-Gonzalez. nianus californianus. An. Escuela Nac. Cienc. nus californianus, in fishing gear in the cen­ 1994. Ecological factors that determine dis­ Biol. 18:167–189. tral-northern part of the Gulf of California, tribution and abundance of the California sea Malkin, B. 1962. Seri ethnozoology. Ocass. Pap. Mexico. Fish. Bull. 95:180–184.

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