The Australian Sea Lion population has been declining for the past few decades. So much so that a Scientific Committee recommended the sea lions be upgraded to Endangered from their Threatened status.  The upgrade in status will afford more protections and more funds to help monitor the populations and help better determine and monitor the recovery plan.  The population is being hit by an increase in mercury levels, sea-level rise, and fishing pressure.  The new protections have included protecting a large area from bottom gillnet fishing in the same place where the sea lions forage.  Link to Article: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/04/population-of-australias-only-unique-seal-has-fallen-by-60-study-finds?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other Want To Talk Oceans? Join the Speak Up For Blue Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Speak Up For Blue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakupforblue/ Speak Up For Blue Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpeakUpforBlue