The wounded creature is recuperating at SFDK:

A Sacramento County fisherman was sentenced to 30 days in jail and a $51,000 fine - payable to the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito - for shooting Sgt. Nevis, a California sea lion he said was eating his fish.

Larry Allen Legans, 44, of North Highlands was convicted of animal abuse Friday in Sutter County Superior Court after prosecutors said he shot Sgt. Nevis in the face in November on the Sacramento River near Verona.

"I'm glad we got a criminal conviction," said Sutter County district attorney Carl Adams. "I'm also glad the people who went to the effort to save this animal will be reimbursed."...

http://www.sfgate.co.../BAF11FV0HI.DTL

The wounded creature is recuperating at SFDK:

A Sacramento County fisherman was sentenced to 30 days in jail and a $51,000 fine - payable to the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito - for shooting Sgt. Nevis, a California sea lion he said was eating his fish.

Larry Allen Legans, 44, of North Highlands was convicted of animal abuse Friday in Sutter County Superior Court after prosecutors said he shot Sgt. Nevis in the face in November on the Sacramento River near Verona.

"I'm glad we got a criminal conviction," said Sutter County district attorney Carl Adams. "I'm also glad the people who went to the effort to save this animal will be reimbursed."...

http://www.sfgate.co.../BAF11FV0HI.DTL

I've always wondered in suits like this when a large sum of money is involved, what are the chances of the defendants even seeing it? Just hang him.

This wasn't a civil suit, but rather a criminal prosecution...the defendant is the sea lion shooter...

The restitution in cases like this is often never paid...but the defendant risks more jail time if it is not...

See also:

..."He's healing, but as long as he's a little better than he was, we're happy," Six Flags veterinarian Diana Proctor told the San Francisco Chronicle. "Although if he shows even a little discomfort this weekend, we'll put him back in his quiet area."

Is the sentence Legans received too light? Consider that Sgt. Nevis basically had his nose removed by a shotgun blast and doctors had to pull flaps of skin over the pellet holes to seal his nasal cavity, so he could swim and dive.

Now the sea lion is well cared for, but no longer a free creature of the wild.

http://www.petethomasoutdoors.com/2010/10/california-man-who-shot-sea-lion-draws-jail-sentence-big-fine-.html