We are still working on this question. However, we do know that both species respond to changes in climate. We examined the response of both sea lions and elephant seals to the 1998 El nino event. We think of future climate changes as being more like an El nino event. During this event elephant seal females foraged in the same places and in the same way, but did not gain as much mass as over normal years. We also examined the foraging patterns of sea lions during the 2005 warm period. This was not an El nino, but the coastal waters were warmer than usual. During this period both male and female sea lions foraged farther at sea and took longer trips. Male changed their diet and ate more sardines and no squid. The general picture is that a warmer climate will have an adverse impact on both elephant seals and sea lions.