As severed fins could be easily stored, it made economic sense for fishing vessels to remove the fins at sea, rather than bringing the entire animal - which would quickly fill a vessel's cold storage areas - into port.

BBC: MEPs vote to close 'shark finning' loopholes

But killing even a few of the charismatic sea lions is bound to stir passions in the animal rights community.

NPR: Large Sea Lion Population Threatens Fishing