NOAA recommends killing sea lions at Bonneville Dam
Posted by The Oregonian January 17, 2008 10:58AM
A federal agency is recommending the killing of as many as 30 sea lions a year at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, where they gather each year to eat migrating spring chinook salmon.
The recommendation from NOAA Marine Fisheries was one of four options, ranging from no action at all to killing many more of the sea lions that prey on salmon. Sea lions and many Columbia River spring salmon runs are protected by federal laws.
The agency will take public comment through Feb. 19.
The alternatives are in a draft environmental assessment issued in response to requests from Oregon, Washington and Idaho to kill predatory sea lions as a means of preserving dwindling salmon runs.
MORE:
Go to the NOAA site to read more about the recommendations
AP
I have a lot of mixed emotions about this. I have Indian friends here who make a living fishing the salmon. They should have first rights, in my opinion to the fish.
I have friends who just love to fish the salmon for sport. That, I have some trouble with... we catch and release but most of my friends do not. They often give me fish because I live off of fish except for the occasional boneless, skinless, flavor-lacking, dry to the point of choking chicken breast. It is generous and thoughtful and appreciated. But am I contributing to the problem?
The sea lions are here because we...with the help of the rest of the world... heavy blame delegated to Japan above others... have fished the hell out of our poor salmon in the ocean. Now the sea lions are here to feed. They are intelligent enough to understand the the fish ladders make salmon traffic heavy in a narrow alley where they can be easily collected.
I do not feel right about shooting them just because they found a good place to eat. I'd much rather that they said... sea lions may feed and the Indians may fish, who have fishing rights here.
But sport fishing needs to stop until the salmon have grown in numbers again to the point where they are safe enough to fish. And if that never happens, too bad fishermen.
I love salmon to eat, but we have hatchery fish that can be increased to help replenish the natural stock and farm fish that can be eaten. I'll miss the free fish, but I'm willing.
I really don't want them to kill the sea lions. Maybe its because I'm a California raised brat and used to the darlings barking at me and even chasing me on occasion. I'm awfully fond of them.
What do you think is the right thing to do?
