Sea lion shot in the head

Photo: Alan Fletcher

A dead sea lion was found shot in the head on Hornby Island this week.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society says the animal's death "leaves no doubt as to the abuse of pinnipeds our crew has been observing on the water," CTV News reports.

The discovery follows a recent Facebook video showing a commercial fisherman tossing a "bear-banger" explosive into a group of seals off the coast of Vancouver Island.

Fishermen have called for a cull of sea lions they say are interfering with the herring fishery.

But Sea Shepherd says over-fishing of the herring is what has led to the sea lions swarming fishermen's nets.

The group has urged the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to place a moratorium on the commercial roe herring fishery in the Strait of Georgia.

– with files from CTV Vancouver Island