This dataset contains range maps for the Northern Steller Sea Lion (also known as the Steller's sea lion and northern sea lion). The Steller sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus is a species of sea lion in the northern Pacific. It is the sole member of the genus Eumetopias and the largest of the eared seals (Otariidae).

Steller sea lions were first listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1990 due to unexplained and widespread population declines in Alaska. In 1997, NOAA Fisheries recognized two distinct population segments; listing the eastern distinct population segment (DPS) as threatened and the western DPS as endangered. The eastern DPS has since recovered and is no longer listed, which is a significant achievement under the ESA. However, the western DPS remains endangered (NOAA 2022).

Vector datasets of CWHR range maps are one component of California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR), a comprehensive information system and predictive model for Californias wildlife. The CWHR System was developed to support habitat conservation and management, land use planning, impact assessment, education, and research involving terrestrial vertebrates in California. CWHR contains information on life history, management status, geographic distribution, and habitat relationships for wildlife species known to occur regularly in California. Range maps represent the maximum, current geographic extent of each species within California. They were originally delineated at a scale of 1:5,000,000 by species-level experts and have gradually been revised at a scale of 1:1,000,000. For more information about CWHR, visit the CWHR webpage (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR). The webpage provides links to download CWHR data and user documents such as a look up table of available range maps including species code, species name, and range map revision history; a full set of CWHR GIS data; .pdf files of each range map or species life history accounts; and a User Guide.