Pier 39

The Pier 39, a part of Fisherman's Wharf to the north of San Francisco is a former boat dock, which is now home to a year-round amusement with souvenir shops, amusement rides, restaurants and an aquarium.

Sea Lions

In addition to the commercial establishments there is also a "free" tourist attraction: California Sea Lions have settled on landing at the pier and use them as resting places. The colony of sea lions, which can be observed from surrounding quay, has established itself in the dock K in winter 1989/90. After an earthquake on 17 October 1989, there were renovation works on the jetty. In this boat free time, the first sea lions settled at the pier. A direct connection with the earthquake could not be proven scientifically.

Over the next few months, the sea lions left their previous regular place, the Seal Rock north of Ocean Beach, and occupied the comfortable bar. By adapting the system to the tidal range and the way was easier in the water than on the rocks. The natural predators, sharks and Orca are rarely found in the bay of San Francisco. The lush fishing grounds in the bay are a good source of food.

Was there end of 1989 a colony 6-10 living permanently on the jetty sea lions, the population grew in the next few months even after reuse of the boat berths to over 400 sea lions.

The operators of Pier 39, boat owners and residents felt the first permanent presence as a disturbance. Boat owners came not without risk to the up to 450 kg animals over to the boats. Additionally, there was property damage and nuisance caused by noise and odor.

After a consultation with the Marine Mammal Center, the K Dock for public Bootsvekehr was closed in March 1990; the system was left to the sea lions. By further increasing population, there was damage to the jetty. Weight of up to 1000 animals, the webs expressed under water. The web rotted and threatened to break.

In 1995, the old jetty was removed and replaced with about 3 by 4 meters wide pontoons as a resting area for sea lions.

On the quayside information boards have been prepared for visitors. The Marine Mammal Center operates a permanent observer with the help of volunteers.

On the night of 27 November 2009, all sea lions left the Pier 39, a short time later they were spotted off the coast of Oregon, where they spent until March of the following year their winter camp, then to the pier to return 39. It is not uncommon for sea lions drag to hunt there, sardines in winter to the north, unusual, however, is that all sea lions suddenly disappeared.