February 5, 2008
Oppose Plans to Kill California Sea Lions:
Letters Needed by February 19
Dear Humanitarian:
Last year, we informed you of the
request made by the states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho to kill
California sea lions from the Columbia River, claiming a need to
aid the recovery of endangered and threatened salmon and
steelhead. Many thanks to those who responded.
Unfortunately, in November, the
Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force – an 18-member committee
appointed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) – voted
17-1 in favor of the lethal removal of the sea lions. NMFS is now
accepting comments on the Task Force’s decision until February 19.
Although sea lions eat fish,
there is no concrete evidence that removing the animals will
benefit the at-risk species of salmon and steelhead. Sea lions are
opportunistic predators and the criteria for selecting the
individuals to remove are very loose. Some of the sea lions will
be killed, while others will be transferred to captive facilities.
No provisions have been made to ensure that the animals removed
are actually the ones who are eating the most fish. NMFS admits
that the removed individuals will be replaced by other sea lions
searching for an easy meal.
It is estimated that sea lions
consume 2 to 4 percent of the Columbia River fish. However, many
more fish are put at risk by human actions, such as overfishing
and habitat impairment. Unnatural changes in the environment by
hydropower structures have tipped the balance in favor of the sea
lions by congregating the fish at the base of the Bonneville dam,
making them particularly vulnerable to predation. Hydropower
facilities are responsible for 2 to 16 percent of fish deaths, and
fishermen are responsible for another 4 to 17 percent.
The endangered salmon and
steelhead in the Columbia River need long-term solutions, not the
knee-jerk reaction to scapegoat and kill sea lions.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Please make your views known,
stressing the importance of sea lion welfare and humane,
long-lasting and effective fisheries management. Comments must be
received by February 19, 2008. Write to:
Federal Register Notice:
www.nwr.noaa.gov/Publications/FR-Notices/2008/upload/73FR3453.pdf
Thank you for speaking out on
behalf of California sea lions!
Sincerely,
Cathy Liss
President
