Anchovy feast attracts sea lions to San Francisco pier

(SAN FRANCISCO) — They’re resting, biting each other and generally making a mess in numbers not seen in more than a decade. And don’t even think about stealing your anchovies.

San Francisco’s famous Fisherman’s Wharf district is seeing an increase in sea lion numbers.

First appearing at Pier 39 after the 1989 earthquake, sea lions have become a well-known tourist attraction. The number of sea lions – marine mammals that emit loud barks and can weigh up to half a ton – that land on the pier varies throughout the seasons. On most days, more than a hundred can be seen.

But this week, Pier 39 harbormaster Sheila Chandor counted more than 1,000 sea lions, and that’s the highest number of sea lions seen there in 15 years. A huge school of anchovies — a favorite food of pinnipeds — brought them there, Chandor said.

“It’s all about the seafood. It’s all about the food,” Chandor said. “A really good way to say it is that they are stocking up for mating season. It’s spring. They’re ready to rock and roll in the Channel Islands, and we’re a great pit stop with great seafood.”

In fact, the increase in sea lions is expected to be only temporary. But the barges on which the sea lions rest are designed to support significant weight, and authorities admit this current increase is testing their limits.

Biologists said the number of anchovies in the bay that appears to have attracted more sea lions this spring is especially high. Chandor said the schools were in the Farallon Islands.

Meanwhile, stores and businesses in the region hoped that the wave of sea lions would also result in a wave of tourist shopping, attracting more visitors to the region. Sea lion lovers have been flocking to the pier to see the huge, noisy herd.

“I have never seen so many sea lions in one place. I heard about this place and we came here just a few minutes ago and it’s amazing to see them,” said Theresa Simbeck, a visitor from Germany. “It’s very noisy, of course, but it’s great to see them all. And it’s fun to watch them fight and relax in the sun.”

A large number of sea lions have arrived at the pier in recent years, and about 1,700 have already arrived, Chandor said. There are usually 300 to 400 in the winter and up to 700 in the spring, Chandor said.

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Associated Press writer Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine, contributed to this report.