A reward of up to $20,000 for information that leads to “a civic penalty or criminal conviction” has been offered for identifying and prosecuting the boater videoed speeding over sea lions earlier this month on the Columbia River. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) launched the investigation on April 3, 2023, after a video captured by a Portland, Oregon resident, Michael Brady, posted it on Twitter.
The video shows an unidentified boater intentionally speeding and weaving back and forth over groups of sea lions as the animals rested on the surface near Hayden Island. The boat is a 20-feet aluminum Hewescraft Pro-V Sea Runner with a dark blue stripe.
Sea lions are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act which includes a provision against harassment of marine animals. Fishermen are allowed to scare sea lions away from damaging their gear or bothering them while fishing by circling them or using horns or whistles, but they cannot be physically harmed.
Anyone with information is asked to contact NOAA at 360.310.0259 or use the 24/7 hotline at 800.853.1964.
Check out the video:
Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.
OMG……. I don’t know how to express my feelings of complete disgust……. WTF is wrong with the POS to think that this behavior is “ok”???
The POS who did this has earned a reserved spot in the hottest part of Hell to burn forever for their cruelty.