I suspect it is about to get much worse. We were recently Sea Lioned twice off Sooke on the same day and got back one large salmon head. I have noticed a huge population increase in sea lions in that area in the last few years and the sea lion population seems to be going through the roof just like seals did. There also seems to be a very large quantity of very young and juvenile Sea Lions. We have a huge out of control population of Seals ( what DFO calls “Historical Highs”) and now it seems to me we are seeing the same things with Sea Lions. The problem in my view is a lack of predators (transient Orca with high toxin levels etc) and humans who have changed the eating and clothing habits and now prefer Big Macs and Jeans. Not to mention that these species have protected status now so you won’t see the odd 22 on commercial fishing boats etc. which don’t fish in JDF anymore anyway and which helped keep the populations in check; although I guess fish farms will still shoot a few of them on the west coast. A cull will not be seen as politically expedient so the salmon, which really don’t need it and which don’t have the cute factor will pay the price, as will those who depend on them.