Federal marine authorities are trying to find two boaters who were seen firing at something in the water off Fox Island after a witness snapped photos and told officials they may have been targeting seals or other marine mammals.

The pictures clearly show two young men aiming a rifle while on board a boat as it made its way past Fox Island.

Glenn Hansen said he was home working on his computer when he heard what sounded like gunshots coming from that boat.

“I heard a noise, a pop, so I looked out and a cruiser was going by,” said Hansen.

 Hansen quickly grabbed his camera and took pictures as the men on board took turns aiming at something in the water and then firing.

“I saw in the water a mark, you know the rings going out, and a guy was leaning out with a gun and the seagulls were flying up and away from that ring.  And as I watched them, they took a couple more shots, so I grabbed the camera and took some pictures,” said Hansen.

“If you have rifles, and you’re firing at things in the water and it looks like you’re aiming, chances are they’re mammals,” said Pierce County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Detective Ed Troyer.

     The area where the shootings occurred is full of seals, harbor porpoise and other marine life.

The boat had a British Columbia registration number and was flying a Canadian flag, towing what appeared to be a cedar canoe.

“And that area by Fox Island is a sanctuary, so that makes it even doubly bad,” said Troyer.

Hansen has already passed his photos on to the National Marine Fisheries Service and law enforcement is tracking the registration number.

Officials hope to catch up with the boaters before they cross the border into Canada.