Remote Hokkaido island invaded!

thomas · 7 Feb 2026

By sea lions!

Around 3,000 Steller sea lions have been observed on an uninhabited island off the coast of Hokkaido, a figure described as unusually high for this time of year. Their presence is also linked to mounting fishing losses, estimated to have exceeded 1 billion yen.

The brown mass covering the island's surface was revealed to be a large group of Steller sea lions. Footage captured on Benten Island, an uninhabited island off Wakkanai in Hokkaido, shows the animals lying around and playfully interacting. According to the person who filmed the scene, the group numbered roughly 3,000, the highest figure recorded for this season. The sea lions, sometimes referred to as "gangsters of the sea" for devouring fish caught in nets, have caused significant damage to the fishing industry, with losses estimated at about 1 billion yen. Experts say the animals likely migrated south from the Sea of Okhotsk in search of food and came ashore on the island to rest.

Sea Lions Invade Remote Hokkaido Island

About 3,000 Steller sea lions have appeared on an uninhabited island off Hokkaido, marking the largest number for this time of year and adding to fishing losses estimated to exceed 1 billion yen.

newsonjapan.com

Sea Lions Announce Their Arrival with Loud ‘Woo, Woo’ on Tiny Hokkaido Island

>With their strong cries of “woo, woo,” Steller sea lions announced their arrival at Benten Island, a soccer field-sized uninhabited island about one kilometer northwest of Cape Soya, located in northern Hokkaido.

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

Apparently, they only devour the heads of salmon:

Lothor · 7 Feb 2026

Three thousand sea lions compared with 123 million Japanese people, the vast majority with no interest in conservation. I think we should get some perspective on what's causing the decline in fish stocks.

thomas · 7 Feb 2026

Quite a coincidence: NHK aired this today, and I caught the last 10 minutes.

The Old Man and the Sea Lion

Documentary 360

71-year-old diver Fujita Hisao has spent 40 years drawing attention to the beauty of ocean life, particularly the graceful sea lions, which face lethal removal for snagging fishing nets.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/3026016/

Remote Hokkaido island invaded!

thomas

Unswerving cyclist

Sea Lions Invade Remote Hokkaido Island

Sea Lions Announce Their Arrival with Loud ‘Woo, Woo’ on Tiny Hokkaido Island

Lothor

Freelance proofreader

thomas

Unswerving cyclist

The Old Man and the Sea Lion

Documentary 360

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