HUMAN INTERACTIONS WITH STELLER SEA LIONS (EUMETOPIAS JUBATUS) IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT OF PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY AND NEVELSK

Abstract

This article examines the prerequisites for the conflict between human activity and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Since the 1980s, with a massive decline in numbers of this species over most of its range, there has been
a question of the causes of the crisis. Most studies point to the complex nature of the causes, which include competition
with commercial fishing for fish resources, disturbance associated with increasing tourist traffic, culling, and injuries
caused to the animals. The paper describes the global problem of Steller sea lions suffering from entanglement in floating debris. The measures of legal regulation governing the protection and use of Steller sea lions in Russia, the USA, and
Japan, where this species occurs, are studied. The results of a 2020-2024 study into the behavioral adaptations of Steller
sea lions to the anthropogenic environment in the two largest seasonal rookeries of the Far East – the port zones of the
cities of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Nevelsk – are presented. The main reason for the animals’ interaction with
people is the search for food, during which the mammals demonstrate four behavioral strategies: waiting, begging, theft,
and natural hunting. Constant and strong human disturbance in the rookeries largely influences the formation of adaptations to living in an urbanized environment. Sea lions have adapted to the atypical port landscape as a place for rest and
to products from the fishing industry as their food, and they transfer the skills through training. With proper organization
of protection, restrictions on fishing in the 30-mile rookery zone, and reduction of ocean pollution, it is possible for the
Steller sea lion to overcome the demographic crisis.