Barking sea lions on Bowen Island are music to the ears of this conservationist

Peter Kearney, a long-time resident of Bowen Island, has been delighted by the recent sightings of sea lions climbing onto his neighbor’s dock. Having lived in his home for over 20 years, Kearney has seen California sea lions in the spring, but this winter marks the first time he has observed them on the docks.

“The barking of the sea lions throughout the night is quite a spectacle,” Kearney remarked. “While some may find it bothersome, we find it rather charming, like a serenade from the sea.”

However, not all residents share Kearney’s sentiment. Bob Turner, the island’s former mayor and a member of the Bowen Island Conservancy, views the presence of sea lions as a positive sign for the ecosystem. Turner, a retired scientist, believes that the increase in sea lion population is indicative of a thriving marine environment.

“We’ve colloquially called it the Great Howe Sound Recovery,” Turner explained. He pointed out that the abundance of California sea lions in the area can be attributed to the presence of anchovy, a warm-water cousin of herring, which started spawning in Howe Sound around 2015.

Turner emphasized that the decrease in industrial pollution in Howe Sound over the past decade has led to the resurgence of marine life, including seals, orcas, and humpback whales. While some waterfront residents have erected fences to deter sea lions from their docks, Turner remains fascinated by the behavior of these marine mammals.

“I’ve observed that sea lions tend to sit quietly on a raft or dock until another sea lion wants to join them,” Turner said. “The whole place erupts with their barking, and it can take up to 10 minutes for things to quiet down. They will continue this chorus throughout the night.”

According to the Vancouver Aquarium, California sea lions communicate through barking and other sounds. Protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, it is challenging for residents to address the noise disturbance caused by the sea lions.

Despite the mixed reactions from residents, Kearney remains optimistic about the presence of sea lions on Bowen Island. He sees it as a positive sign of a healthy marine ecosystem.

“I believe it’s a reflection that there is an abundance of food for these sea lions,” Kearney noted. “If their food source was scarce, they wouldn’t be here. So, in a way, their presence is a reassuring sign of a thriving environment.”