Steller sea lion populations in Alaska declined after the 1970s, and survivors were smaller and had lower birth rates.Earlier populations had fed mostly on herring, a fish rich in fat.When herring declined, they fed mostly on cod and haddock, which are larger but lower in fat.This suggests that sea lion population changes can be directly linked to

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The decline in Steller sea lion populations and their reduced size and birth rates can be directly linked to the decline in their primary food source, herring, which is a high-energy fish rich in fat. When the sea lions had to switch to larger but lower fat fish, such as cod and haddock, their overall health and reproductive success declined. The other choices (A, C, D, and E) are not supported by the given information.

Steller Sea Lion Populations in Alaska Declined After the 1970s