Dozens of sea lions have made the public guest docks at Shilshole Bay Marina in Ballard their new, temporary home, a customary move over the last few years.
“It is that time of year again in Ballard. I’m not sure if you guys are aware of this, but sea lions have returned en masse to Shilshole Marina’s guest docks,” Andrew Lanier, the producer of “The Gee and Ursula Show,” said. “They sprawl across the planks like they’re at a spa retreat. There are about 120 that have made themselves right at home, barking, lounging. They block access for the actual boaters who want to use the guest marinas there.”
Yellow caution tape can be seen along the walkways as a reminder for humans to keep their distance from the sea lions, which will bite when threatened. According to the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program, sea lions, a federally protected marine mammal, tend to ignore deterrents like sound devices…