Sea lion removal could resume

The Associated Press ^ | 1/30/09

[george76]

A federal judge Thursday denied a request by the Humane Society of the United States for a stay of his order allowing three Western states to resume capturing or killing sea lions that feed on salmon at the base of Bonneville Dam.

U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman ruled in November against the Humane Society, which is trying to prevent Oregon, Washington and Idaho from killing or transporting up to 425 California sea lions over five years to relieve pressure on the spring chinook salmon run.

Charles Hudson, spokesman for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, called Thursday's motion a "Hail Mary" attempt by the Humane Society to delay the removal or killing.

He praised Mosman for seeing the controversy as an issue between species, not individual animals or fish, and for the judge's opinion that removing the animals would increase the number of salmon and steelhead making it past the dam to spawning grounds, but would not significantly affect the abundant sea lion population.

[george76]

The size of the annual runs can vary greatly.

Fishermen are allowed about 12 percent.

[Vigilanteman]

From an ecological point of view, the sea lions have gone off-grid by exploiting the use of a man-made barrier (the dam) to make their fishing easier. Therefore, under the same logic used by the econazis, they want to live with modern man-made conveniences, they don't deserve man-made protection.

It will only improve their gene pool and ensure their long-term survival when they learn that hanging around and exploiting man-made modern conveniences poses a danger.

[sionnsar]

Thanks to george76 for the ping.

Say WA? Evergreen State ping

FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this ping list.

Ping sionnsar if you see a Washington state related thread.

[Badeye]

You just can’t make this stuff up....

[jazusamo]

Another chapter in the ongoing saga, the repeated delays caused by the enviro whackjobs is pathetic. The law has been on the books for some time and fish and game managers have bent over backwards to satisfy everyone involved but it’s evident the enviros can’t be satisfied unless the sea rats are allowed to position themselves in front of the ladders and gorge themselves at will.

If fish and game are finally allowed to shoot a few of them we might just find that other sea lions will leave the area, they are very intelligent animals and it’s at least worth a try.

Thanks for the ping.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Sea Lions to bio-diesel, I’m all for it...

[jazusamo]

Sea lion in ladder

[RichInOC]

You see a salmon ladder. Grover there sees a hosted buffet.

[Salvation]

Oregon Ping

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Oregon Ping List.

[going hot]

On of my clients, that works for Dept of fish and game, was discussing her job investigating the dirth of Salmon coming up the sacramento river.

I recommended she look into the floating platforms at the bay marinas literally overflowing with sea lions. Wonder what they are snacking on?

[rahbert]

They’re SEA lions not river lions.

[jazusamo]

Good point, the same problem exists all along the Pacific coast. Newport/Balboa harbor has the same thing occur at some times of the year.

The population of CA sea lions have exploded since their protection in the early 70’s. I read they’re estimated to be in excess of 300,000 some months back, they no longer require protection but once a species is listed the enviros fight tooth and nail to keep them listed.

Game management should be left to game managers and not enviro groups and judges.