SEASONAL MOVEMENTS OF THE SOUTH-AMERICAN SEA LION (OTARIA-FLAVESCENS,SHAW) OFF THE RIO-GRANDE-DO-SUL COAST, BRAZIL

From 1977 to 1986, 292 dead specimens of Otaria flavescens (synonymy O . byronia) found between Hermenegildo (33-degrees-40'S) and Barra do E streito (31-degrees-51'S) in southern Brazil were examined. From April 1985 to May 1986 observations were conducted on hauled-out individual s on the eastern jetty at Lagoa dos Patos (32-degrees-10'S). Sea lions apparently move north from rookeries in Uruguay after the breeding se ason. Most animals (81 %) were males, represented mainly by immature i ndividuals. Females were mainly adults. The species is present on the Rio Grande do Sul coast in large numbers from April to June. The extre mity of the eastern jetty is a resting area for males, with larger num bers being observed early in the morning, decreasing during the day an d increasing again in the evening. Although females were observed on t he jetty, no reproductive activity was noted. Of the 292 carcasses ana lysed, 29.8 % presented signs of interaction with fisheries. Instances of aggressive behaviour from fishermen towards sea lions were recorde d.