For years, fishermen had used these startle devices to keep seals and sea lions away from their nets and gear. Residents and visitors were delighted by the free entertainment, and the sea lions soon amassed a devoted fan club. People bought sea lion T-shirts, kept tallies of the score (Officials: 0, Sea lions: 6), broadcasted the updates on local radio programs. We had destroyed the ecosystem, and the sea lions were simply doing what sea lions do: eating fish. California sea lions gather along the La Jolla coastline at sunset on May 5, 2025 in San Diego, California.