Sea lion throws fisherman across trawler like a rag-doll

‘It’s my ship now!’

You can add sea lions to the top of the list of animals you shouldn't mess with.

One Russian fisherman found out the hard way the sheer strength of an angry sea lion, when he was hurled onto his ship's deck by the creature.

The sea mammal had been caught in the nets and the fishermen were quick to cut it free.

But the moment the sea lion gets its head and neck free it grabs one of the fishermen in its teeth and throws him across the deck.

As the huge creature breaks free the fishermen and a very frightened dog keep their distance.

But the sea lion pounces on the dog as it takes a few tentative steps forward, the canine barking as it tries to break free.

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Eventually the fishermen use a hose to get the sea lion back into the ocean.

Sea lions have been known to jump into nets to catch fish and can often get hauled onto boats as a result.

Taronga Zoo marine mammal keepers believe the animal to be a female Steller sea lion.

"This poor creature was obviously very frightened of the situation it found itself in and although the fishermen were trying to free it, it reacted to what it may have perceived as a threat," a spokesperson told ninemsn.

"That is also why it confronted the dog."

Sea lions can weigh up to 400kg and are surprisingly powerful.

"They are muscular and can propel themselves through the water at speeds of around 30 km/h," the spokesperson said.

"They have strong jaws and teeth, so flinging a fisherman aside so easily as in the video would be effortless for the sea lion."

It is also possible a lack of air from being caught in the fishing net contributed to the sea lion's disorientation.