Temperature, Kelp, and Sea Lions

The ocean off Santa Barbara is still over 60F in Feb, and the kelp is having a rough time, but is persisting. The sea lions have an even rougher time: their food has moved to deeper, colder water and more of them are turning up on the beach.  Mothers are abandoning their pups: the pups can hunt for fish after 3 months, but prefer to supplement their diet until at least 6 months with their Mom's milk. If the mother can't find enough food, she abandons her pup.  The Marine Mammal Center is picking up 2 to 5 sea lions a day, many of them pups.