Now Playing: The confrontation involves two of the nation's pre-eminent environmental laws,
Topic: State & Local
States seek permission to kill salmon-gobbling sea lions
By Les Blumenthal
Published 4/115/07 in McClatchy Newspapers
Janet Jensen/Tacoma News Tribune/MCTA sea lion catches an endangered chinook salmon migrating up the Columbia River just below the spillway at Bonneville Dam in Oregon.
WASHINGTON - For three years, the California sea lions dining on endangered salmon below Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River have been blasted with rubber buckshot, chased by boats, harassed by firecrackers and rockets and subjected to irritating acoustic frequencies blaring from underwater speakers.
WASHINGTON - For three years, the California sea lions dining on endangered salmon below Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River have been blasted with rubber buckshot, chased by boats, harassed by firecrackers and rockets and subjected to irritating acoustic frequencies blaring from underwater speakers.
It's known as "non-lethal hazing," and it hasn't worked. In increasing numbers, the sea lions continue to feast on salmon runs that are struggling to survive.
But now the sea lions could face a death sentence.
Washington state, Oregon and Idaho together have asked for permission to kill more than 80 sea lions a year. Legislation to expedite the request was introduced in late March in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In the battle between 400-pound bull sea lions and the thousands of salmon heading upstream to spawn, both sides have picked up important allies.
Backers of the salmon include the three Northwest states, the region's Indian tribes and four of the region's members of Congress.
Backing the sea lions: the 10 million-member Humane Society of the United States.
The confrontation involves two of the nation's pre-eminent environmental laws, the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
It's a standoff no one really wanted.
"It's a frustrating dilemma," said Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash., who supports eliminating some of the sea lions. "I am not happy about it, but the trend lines show salmon runs decreasing and sea lion populations growing."
State wildlife officials agree.
Click here to read entire article: Published 4/115/07 in McClatchy Newspapers
