THE PINNIPEDS OF THE CALIFORNIA CURRENT

There are six species of pinnipeds-California sea lion, Zalophus californianus; northern sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus; northern fur seal, Callorhinus ursinus; Guadalupe fur seal, Arctocephalus townsendi; harbor seal, Phoca uitulina richardsi; and northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris-that inhabit the study area of the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI). The numbers of animals in each population are given; the size, distribution, and seasonal movements are described. The known prey species of the pinnipeds are listed for each species. The otariids, with certain exceptions, consume the same kinds of prey, although in slightly different amounts. In general they feed most commonly on the smaller schooling fishes and squids of the epipelagic zone, and the two sea lion species enter nearshore and estuarine waters to prey on small schooling and anadromous fish. The two phocids, again with certain exceptions, prey on different species. The elephant seal apparently feeds in deeper water than the harbor seal on benthic and demersal species and the harbor seal on nearshore demersal and neretic species, occasionally enteringestuarine and river waters to prey on anadromous fish and such small schooling fishes that regularly enter these waters.