NOAA Fisheries Seeks Information on the Decapitation of a Sea Lion at Point Pinos Beach

NOAA Fisheries' Office of Law Enforcement is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to an arrest, civil penalty assessment, or criminal conviction in the decapitation of a California sea lion. A white male subject was observed using a hunting knife to remove the head of a deceased sea lion. The incident, partially captured on video, happened at Point Pinos Beach in Pacific Grove, California at approximately 8:40 p.m. on July 27. The sea lion was dead prior to the incident; the cause of death has not been determined.

We are seeking information on the person who decapitated the animal and any other details surrounding the incident. The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 5'9", bald, with a full beard, and appearing in his late 50s to early 60s. After sawing off the seal's head, he placed the head in a zip-style plastic bag and left the area in a late-model white Cadillac Escalade.

Harassing, harming, killing or feeding sea lions is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as is collecting marine mammal protected species parts. Violations can be prosecuted civilly or criminally; civil prosecution may result in a monetary penalty of up to $36,498 per violation. Criminal violations are punishable by up to $100,000 in fines and up to 1 year in jail per violation.

Anyone with information about this incident should call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964. You can leave tips anonymously, but to be eligible for the reward you must include your name and contact information.

To report a dead, injured, or stranded marine mammal, call the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network: (866) 767-6114.