Steller sea lions are the largest of the eared seals and are highly aggressive in the breeding season. The males haul out on to rocky shores and then hang on to their hard won territories at any cost. The strongest males might guard a harem of up to 30 females. Steller sea lions are skilled and opportunistic marine predators of squid and fish. One of their prey, the walleye pollack, is commercially exploited and the resulting competition for resources may help explain the recent, serious decline in the Alaskan populations.

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