Fewer sea lion pups will be trapped and drowned in rock lobster pots following a new West Australian Government initiative.State Fisheries have announced sea lion exclusion devices (SLEDs) would be mandatory for commercial and recreational pots during the rock lobster season. Sea lion pups are tempted into the pots to eat the trapped lobsters, became trapped themselves and drown. To prevent this, fisherman must now install SLEDs - a bolt that makes the pot too small for pups to enter - if they set pots in waters less than 20 meters deep. SLEDs kept pups out of pots and did not impact on the fishing industry in their test runs. By installing the SLEDs, both commercial and recreational fishers are playing a vital role in helping to conserve this important marine species and ensuring rock lobster fisheries maintain highly regarded environmental credentials.