Endangered Salmon Predation Act: HR 6241

Endangered Salmon Predation Act: HR 6241

To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to reduce predation on endangered Columbia River salmon, and for other purposes.

Another damaging amendment to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) has been introduced in the House of Representatives, this time by Rep. Hastings (R-WA) along with cosponsors Rep. Dicks (D-WA), Rep. Baird (D-WA) and Rep. Walden (R-OR). On the surface, the purpose of HR 6241 seems to be the protection of the endangered Columbia River Salmon; however on closer inspection it is clear that this bill is in fact very harmful to wildlife. Sea lions are protected under the MMPA, however this piece of legislation would authorize the lethal removal of at least 80 sea lions a year. The main problem with this bill is that it is based on the common misconception that pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and walruses) are to blame for declining fish populations. There is no sufficient proof to back up this claim.

This bill not only furthers this damaging fallacy but also facilitates those who wish to kill California sea lions to get the permits to do so. HR 6241 would replace Section 120 of the MMPA, which requires an external review by scientists and stake holders. The bill also blatantly proposes that the removal of the California sea lions would be out of the jurisdiction of the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), which allows the public to comment on proposed government activities. Without the requirements of scientific and public review, there is very little to protect the sea lions from unnecessary death.

HR 6241 also quotes grossly inaccurate population data for the California sea lions. The population estimate in the bill is significantly higher than the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) stock estimate for the species.

While it is true that salmon populations, as well as many other fish populations, are in desperate need of help, it should not be at the expense of another species, especially when they are not the main cause of the salmon declines. Habitat degradation and the Bonneville Dam itself have also been blamed for the decline.

Please contact your representative and tell them that you OPPOSE HR 6241 and that you support nonlethal measures for controlling predation. Your letters and calls are necessary to protect California’s sea lions from this dangerous scapegoating and also to ensure transparency in government decision-making.

To locate your Representative’s contact information, please visit www.compassionindex.org.

Click here to read the full text of the bill.