Environmental groups in Chile have voiced their dissatisfaction of the Government's December ruling to allow the capture and export of up to 200 sea lions.
The Government authorised one company, Luna y Galaz to capture sealions for export to zoos and aquariums in Europe and Asia, the Patagonia Times reported.
The Government decided to modify its protection law after bowing to pressure from salmon farm companies which complained that sea lions visited their farms, ate their fish and damaged their nets.
Environmentalists have been strongly critical of Luna y Galaz's actions, and said that the company has seemed to focus its catches from around the Cahuemo Fjord region. They are concerned that the capture would have a deep impact on the 400-strong sea lion population in the area.