- Sea lions are rapidly increasing in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf area, with the number reaching more than 1,000 this week.
- Sea lions have been a tourist attraction since appearing at Pier 39 after the 1989 earthquake.
- Port manager Sheila Chander attributed the influx of sea lions to the abundance of food, suggesting the animals were preparing for breeding season.
They lounge, mesh, and make a lot of noise in numbers not seen in more than a decade. And don’t even think about stealing the anchovies.
Sea lions are rapidly increasing in San Francisco’s famous Fisherman’s Wharf area.
Sea lions first appeared on Pier 39 after the 1989 earthquake and have become a famous tourist attraction. The number of sea lions – loud, barking marine mammals that can weigh up to half a tonne – colliding with piers varies by season. More than 100 can be seen on most days.
California sea lion charges towards startled beachgoers, emptying a busy cove
But this week, Pier 39 port manager Sheila Chander counted more than 1,000 sea lions, the highest number seen in 15 years. Chander said swarms of anchovies, a favorite food of pinnipeds, brought them there.
A sea lion rides on a raft along Pier 39 in San Francisco on May 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
“It’s all about seafood. It’s all about food,” Chander said. “The best way to put it is they are conserving their energy for mating season. It’s spring. They’re ready to move around in the Channel Islands and we have some great seafood. It’s a great stop to get it.”
Indeed, the sea lion surge is expected to be only temporary. But the barges on which sea lions lounge are designed to withstand considerable weight, and officials acknowledge the current surge is testing that limit.
Biologists say the number of anchovies is particularly high in the bay, which appears to have attracted more sea lions this spring. Chander said the school of fish was off the coast of the Farallon Islands.
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Meanwhile, shops and businesses in the area were hoping that the surge in sea lions would also encourage tourist shopping and draw more tourists to the area. Sea lion enthusiasts flock to the pier to catch a glimpse of the huge, noisy herd.
Theresa Schimbeck, a visitor from Germany, said: “I’ve never seen so many sea lions together in one place.” I came here a few minutes ago after hearing about this place, and the sea lions… It’s great to be able to see it.” “It’s very noisy, of course, but it’s really fun to watch them all. And it’s funny to watch them fight and relax in the sun.”
Chander said large numbers of sea lions have been visiting the pier in recent years, with about 1,700 arriving so far. Chander said there are typically 300 to 400 people in the winter and up to 700 in the spring.
