Due to concern over the dramatic decline of Steller sea lions in Alaska, in 1990, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) took emergency actions to list the species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Steller sea lion (or northern sea lion), Eumetopias jubatus, is the largest otariid pinniped and one of the more aesthetically appealing sea lions (Loughlin et al., 1987).In Greek, Eumetopias means having a well-developed, broad forehead; in Latin jubatus means having a mane, as in the male. Steller Sea Lions: Grizzlies of the Sea (12 mins) Stellers are the world’s largest species of sea lion. No data exist on the energetic cost or risk of killing and consuming an adult Steller sea lion … The first category covers human-induced factors such as hunting and killing. It is called qawax (pronounced ka-wa; qawan, plural) by Aleut natives, sivuch (sivuchi, … From an energy content analysis of Steller sea lions, Williams et al. Early observers called them sea lions because the males grow large, furry manes, but when we compare these top predators to land animals, we think of them as the grizzlies of the sea. estimated caloric requirements of adult killer whales at 2–3 Steller sea lion pups per day versus one adult female sea lion every 2–3 days. For most of the 20th century, Steller Sea Lions were killed as part of programs to control predators of fish raised in British Columbia fish farms. We don't know how the California marine ecosystem might change if the sea lions, fur seals and harbor seals were removed. But we can make a few educated guesses. The threats to the Steller Sea Lion can be classified in two main categories. Removing Top Predators We cannot say with certainty what would happen if seals and sea lions were removed from their ecosystems. Steller Sea Lion (west of 144º) (Eumetopias jubatus) Federally Endangered.