The OFFICIAL Seal and Sea Lion thread.

[flywrapper]

[QUOTE=FranklinBernard;4117904]Quit messing with the circle of life my friends and when you do, don't complain about it.
Sea Lions have been doing this for years and when they have to adapt to the changing their ways and tatics i.e. sitting back and stalking our (ENDANGERED my add) fish to eat, so be it.

Bernard, please define your "Circle of Life".
Thanks,
Rick

[Jerry Dove]

As has been mentioned, ODFW is doing research on these birds. Killing 8 birds a day and putting them in freezers. They are killing different days of the month so as to get a better coverage of their habits. When and if they raise enough money they will unfreeze the birds and analyses what is in the bellies. This is all part of the requirements of the Feds.. They do not have the money to do this at this time. I made a statement above that we should start a fund-raiser to get the $$$$$ to get this study done. You know as in put your money where your mouth is. We all know, well most of us know, that these birds are a very large problem. I also stated that I would make the first $50.00 donation and I have a friend that would match anything we raise. I expected to hear a loud YES LETS GET THIS DONE! What did I hear, NOTHING. This is Mothers day so I will be nice and not say what I think of folks that talk a lot and then do nothing. If any one likes the idea and would like to help get this job done let me know. Jerry Dove, Tillamook, Oregon

[freespool]

You are doing something Jerry, you fought very hard against the Tillamook State Forest 50/50 Plan, where fish habitat would be forever protected, you've advocated for increased harvest in that very forest, you work diligently to raise hatchery fish.
My question is what are you doing to protect wild fish?
From my perspective your doing nothing.

[Springer43]

Originally Posted by Jerry Dove

As has been mentioned, ODFW is doing research on these birds. Killing 8 birds a day and putting them in freezers. They are killing different days of the month so as to get a better coverage of their habits. When and if they raise enough money they will unfreeze the birds and analyses what is in the bellies. This is all part of the requirements of the Feds.. They do not have the money to do this at this time. I made a statement above that we should start a fund-raiser to get the $$$$$ to get this study done. You know as in put your money where your mouth is. We all know, well most of us know, that these birds are a very large problem. I also stated that I would make the first $50.00 donation and I have a friend that would match anything we raise. I expected to hear a loud YES LETS GET THIS DONE! What did I hear, NOTHING. This is Mothers day so I will be nice and not say what I think of folks that talk a lot and then do nothing. If any one likes the idea and would like to help get this job done let me know. Jerry Dove, Tillamook, Oregon

I don't always see eye to eye with you on many issues Jerry (a couple of which noted by freespool above), however I too would put up a $50.00 donation to get this study completed. Has that someone you know actually committed to match all the donations or is that still hopeful thinking? If Ifish could set something up through paypal or there were some official venue to donate, I'm in. Please let us know if and when that happens. I'd rather see us come together as a community and help find solutions than have to pick sides on every issue.

Thanks!

[crabbait]

Before you raise a bunch of cash I think it would be prudent to find out how much such a study would cost and whether or not private funding would be accepted. Keep the cart behind the horse if you will.

[Jerry Dove]

OK, got a little response. I will get a cost est. from OFDW. Yes they have already ask for donations. We could make checks out to North Cost Salmon Steelhead Enhancement Fund or Tillamook Anglers Corporation. Both groups are 501c3 non profits and are already invested and involved in the hazing program. Either group would be happy to accept checks marked for the study. I have a meeting with my friend that hates those birds. Now lets see if we can get more interest.

[Jerry Dove]

Originally Posted by freespool

You are doing something Jerry, you fought very hard against the Tillamook State Forest 50/50 Plan, where fish habitat would be forever protected, you've advocated for increased harvest in that very forest, you work diligently to raise hatchery fish.
My question is what are you doing to protect wild fish?
From my perspective your doing nothing.

Freespool, you would be very surprised!

[12pulls]

In the OP someone forgot to include the Arctic Tern issue, they eat lots of smolts too.

The commorant and tern issues exist because of hatchery smolts, which travel towards the top of the water column making them easy prey.

Sea lions are a problem because of 3 reasons, 1-fish numbers, which attracted them into the CR in the first place, 2-Dams & the falls, which give them a place congregate because the fish congregate before going over, and 3-they are in direct competition with fishermen.

It's foolish to claim they have no history in the CR, because for the majority of the time since the immigrants came west, they are on the rebound after a 100 year war was waged against them (funny since they were here first and were not and are not the reason for the demise of the giant runs of wild salmon that use to travel up the CR).

If sportfishermen gets bit or yanked into the drink by a sea lion, it will be due to the foolishness of the fisherman. Sea lions are not seeking out humans to attack, they are just being opportunistic. No different than the fishermen who are after fish. Personally, neither one has a "priority or right" to the fish, but IMO both equally have the same right to the fish.

[Native Fisher]

Originally Posted by 12pulls

In the OP someone forgot to include the Arctic Tern issue, they eat lots of smolts too.

The commorant and tern issues exist because of hatchery smolts, which travel towards the top of the water column making them easy prey.

Sea lions are a problem because of 3 reasons, 1-fish numbers, which attracted them into the CR in the first place, 2-Dams & the falls, which give them a place congregate because the fish congregate before going over, and 3-they are in direct competition with fishermen.

It's foolish to claim they have no history in the CR, because for the majority of the time since the immigrants came west, they are on the rebound after a 100 year war was waged against them (funny since they were here first and were not and are not the reason for the demise of the giant runs of wild salmon that use to travel up the CR).

If sportfishermen gets bit or yanked into the drink by a sea lion, it will be due to the foolishness of the fisherman. Sea lions are not seeking out humans to attack, they are just being opportunistic. No different than the fishermen who are after fish. Personally, neither one has a "priority or right" to the fish, but IMO both equally have the same right to the fish.

Hatcheries have been going strong since the original canneries nearly wiped out the salmon runs in the 1890's. Can you provide some documentation that double crested cormorant and tern populations have been just as high as they are now? You know since it is all because of hatchery smolts

[freespool]

Oregon coastal estuaries are generally in poor condition, one of the big issues is lack of structure.
Historically these estuaries were filled with woody debris, now they are a desert, perhaps there's a correlation between avian predator success and lack of adequate cover structure.
I'm referencing this to wild fish, not hatchery stocks.

[Dummie]

Originally Posted by 12pulls

In the OP someone forgot to include the Arctic Tern issue, they eat lots of smolts too.

The commorant and tern issues exist because of hatchery smolts, which travel towards the top of the water column making them easy prey.

Sea lions are a problem because of 3 reasons, 1-fish numbers, which attracted them into the CR in the first place, 2-Dams & the falls, which give them a place congregate because the fish congregate before going over, and 3-they are in direct competition with fishermen.

It's foolish to claim they have no history in the CR, because for the majority of the time since the immigrants came west, they are on the rebound after a 100 year war was waged against them (funny since they were here first and were not and are not the reason for the demise of the giant runs of wild salmon that use to travel up the CR).

If sportfishermen gets bit or yanked into the drink by a sea lion, it will be due to the foolishness of the fisherman. Sea lions are not seeking out humans to attack, they are just being opportunistic. No different than the fishermen who are after fish. Personally, neither one has a "priority or right" to the fish, but IMO both equally have the same right to the fish.

As aggressive as they are getting with no show of fear, I fear it's only a matter of time before a young child goes overboard and a big bull sea lion will see it thrashing about like a hooked fish. There's very little difference between sea lions stealing fish that are being netted and bears reaching in cars to steal Fritos out of someone's hand. Why we tolerate sea lions at the falls but not bears at intersections is beyond me.

I sincerely hope no human must die before sea lions are effectively removed and the 'they belong here' crowd don't blame the victim.

[boat tater]

Originally Posted by 12pulls

The commorant and tern issues exist because of hatchery smolts, which travel towards the top of the water column making them easy prey.

Actually the problem exists because the corp of engineers in the process of dredging a shipping channel choze to create man made islands that were perfect nesting habitat for cormorants and terns in the exact area of the estuary where fresh and salt water meet. This is the area where smolts, who have beaten all odds and survived the trip past dams, slack water impoundments and in river predation, are completing their miraculous acclimation from fresh water to salt. Unfortunately the freshwater rises up over the top of salt water causing both hatchery and wild smolts to remain in the upper part of the water column and become, as pit tag recoveries have proven, bird prey at essentially the same rate.

This problem could have been eliminated had the corps been forward thinking enough to leave the tops of these artificially man made islands a foot or so below the average river level. They could have planted eel grass on these submerged islands and created sorely needed estuary habitat and could still do so by reducing the height of these man made islands.

If hatchery smolts indeed travel toward the top of the water column at this point of the estuary they would have already been eliminated from the gene pool by intense predation pressure upstream of the estuary.

Sea lions are a problem because of 3 reasons, 1-fish numbers, which attracted them into the CR in the first place, 2-Dams & the falls, which give them a place congregate because the fish congregate before going over, and 3-they are in direct competition with fishermen.

Sea lions are a problem because in order to protect an endangered species of marine mammals we protected all marine mammals while at the same time over harvesting their preferred forage base. Nature will eventually correct this in-balance however before that happens naturally a near or complete loss of sturgeon salmon and definitely wild salmon will occur prior to the natural correction.

It's foolish to claim they have no history in the CR, because for the majority of the time since the immigrants came west, they are on the rebound after a 100 year war was waged against them (funny since they were here first and were not and are not the reason for the demise of the giant runs of wild salmon that use to travel up the CR).

In their journals Lewis and Clark make no mention of huge numbers of "marine" mammals existing in upriver areas. Despite huge salmon runs in the unspoiled areas of Alaskan rivers during extensive travels I have never seen a marine mammal outside of saltwater.

Perhaps what is naive is to believe that you can totally protect predators, pretend that even before European influence man was not a natural controlling factor, continue unchecked human population growth and not have salmon both wild and hatchery suffer the consequences.

[Dummie]

[Chance]

Originally Posted by freespool

I thought this was about cormorants that like to eat stupid hatchery smolt, what's hatchery reform got to do with that?
FYI there are no hatchery stocks that fear any predators while smolting, which gives the predators a huge edge.
Killing them because of this fact seems wrong and really ignorant to me.
Now if there are non lethal means for control, that's another story, I'd support that.
Essentially we have cleaned out most of the structure cover from all our estuaries, this started with commercial fishing, then timber interests finished the job.
For the sake of wild fish, who incidentally know what avian predators are all about, we should be advocating for reintroduction of structure, which is a critical part of successful smolting.

This is simply not true. Several hatcheries in the PNW condition their fish to predators in one way or another. Hatcheries that don't install bird netting or wire will produce a very educated group of juveniles. Further, hatchery fish that aren't conditioned to predators learn very fast on their way out to sea.

Last, wild fish out-migrate near the top of the water column as well. This is why the large smolt traps on the rivers can essentially just skim off the surface yet collect large numbers of juvenile salmonids, wild origin and hatchery origin.

[Ben Hur]

Jerry and all others helping fisheries, thank you for your work and thoughts:

However don't you think that any results from privately funded food study assessment will be met with doubt if a "fringe group" like Tillamook Anglers Corporation is involved in any way? Even the perception of bias will cause most people to discount what is found. That being said, I think what any reliable study will find is that cormorants are opportunistic feeders as they will eat what is most readily available until something else comes along that is more available.

You will have a big problem statistically speaking, trying to say anything about cormorants eating smolts with a sample size so small (10 per month) as to be meaningless. Most statistical studies rely on sampling during specific times during a day, several days a week for several months. Around 10 birds per day per site for 10-20 days each month would be more likely to tell you what is happening, but I'm sure you see the issue with this kind of robust sampling.

The scat samples may be a much better way to assess a percentage of salmonids consumed versus other fish species during a broader time period if the science can discern species from bone samples with a few cormorants killed to help back up their findings. But I'm not at all sure the science exist yet for what ODFW does with the seal scat sampling from the Alsea or other bays to be extended to cormorants.

The Alsea cormorant hazing patrol in the freshwater portion of the river above the bay, I believe is the most effective way to discourage cormorants from feeding on smolts. Once those fish hit the bay you are chasing after the wind in my opinion.

[freespool]

Originally Posted by Chance

This is simply not true. Several hatcheries in the PNW condition their fish to predators in one way or another. Hatcheries that don't install bird netting or wire will produce a very educated group of juveniles. Further, hatchery fish that aren't conditioned to predators learn very fast on their way out to sea.

Last, wild fish out-migrate near the top of the water column as well. This is why the large smolt traps on the rivers can essentially just skim off the surface yet collect large numbers of juvenile salmonids, wild origin and hatchery origin.

I have no idea what your talking about, please supply a link showing where these "Educated" smolt are being released from.
I was referring to Oregon coastal hatchery fish, which I'm very familiar with, and I can say with total certainty are released stupid and unfit to survive in the wild.

[FranklinBernard]

[quote=flywrapper;4119491]

Originally Posted by FranklinBernard

Quit messing with the circle of life my friends and when you do, don't complain about it.
Sea Lions have been doing this for years and when they have to adapt to the changing their ways and tatics i.e. sitting back and stalking our (ENDANGERED my add) fish to eat, so be it.

Bernard, please define your "Circle of Life".
Thanks,
Rick

Here you go, Rick...

Umm hmm
Oh ho
Oh ho
Oh ho
Oh ho

From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking step into the sun
There's more to be seen than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
Some say, eat or be eaten
Some say, live and let live
But, all are agreed as they join the stampede
You should never take more than you give

In the circle of life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap by faith
It's the band of hope
Till, we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life

Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with the scars
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rollin' high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps the great and small on the endless round

In the circle of life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap by faith
It's the band of hope
Till, we find our place
On the path unwinding, yea
In the circle

The circle of life
It's the wheel of fortune, yea
It's the leap by faith
It's the band of hope
Till, we find our place
On the path unwinding, yea
In the circle
The circle of life

On the path unwinding, yea
In the circle
The circle of life

-Sir Elton John

[Jerry Dove]

Originally Posted by Ben Hur

Jerry and all others helping fisheries, thank you for your work and thoughts:

However don't you think that any results from privately funded food study assessment will be met with doubt if a "fringe group" like Tillamook Anglers Corporation is involved in any way? Even the perception of bias will cause most people to discount what is found. That being said, I think what any reliable study will find is that cormorants are opportunistic feeders as they will eat what is most readily available until something else comes along that is more available.

You will have a big problem statistically speaking, trying to say anything about cormorants eating smolts with a sample size so small (10 per month) as to be meaningless. Most statistical studies rely on sampling during specific times during a day, several days a week for several months. Around 10 birds per day per site for 10-20 days each month would be more likely to tell you what is happening, but I'm sure you see the issue with this kind of robust sampling.

The scat samples may be a much better way to assess a percentage of salmonids consumed versus other fish species during a broader time period if the science can discern species from bone samples with a few cormorants killed to help back up their findings. But I'm not at all sure the science exist yet for what ODFW does with the seal scat sampling from the Alsea or other bays to be extended to cormorants.

The Alsea cormorant hazing patrol in the freshwater portion of the river above the bay, I believe is the most effective way to discourage cormorants from feeding on smolts. Once those fish hit the bay you are chasing after the wind in my opinion.

Ben Hur, Maybe I said it wrong. ODFW is killing at least 8 birds a day at different times of the month. This will take some time. As for the funding I don't care who signs the check or where the funds come from, it will still be ODFW and I think, OSU, doing the work.

[Native Fisher]

Originally Posted by freespool

I have no idea what your talking about, please supply a link showing where these "Educated" smolt are being released from.
I was referring to Oregon coastal hatchery fish, which I'm very familiar with, and I can say with total certainty are released stupid and unfit to survive in the wild.

I guess I will have to get you a picture of the bass in with our fry then. Other tribes along the columbia are experimenting with similar things. I believe the oregon hatchery research center is also conducting experiments along those lines. Then again you have been shown all of this information over and over with the same results.

[freespool]

Originally Posted by Native Fisher

I guess I will have to get you a picture of the bass in with our fry then. Other tribes along the columbia are experimenting with similar things. I believe the oregon hatchery research center is also conducting experiments along those lines. Then again you have been shown all of this information over and over with the same results.

Again your confusing fact with theory, but that's your MO.
Passing misinformation off as fact only shows your pushing some sort of anti wild fish agenda.

[Native Fisher]

Originally Posted by freespool

Again your confusing fact with theory, but that's your MO.
Passing misinformation off as fact only shows your pushing some sort of anti wild fish agenda.

Seriously?

[Chinook Nut]

The Tillamook area this year gets to take 50 Cormorants and will be seeing what there eating (we know what they eat). That won't put a dent in the population. As far as training fish to get away from birds in hatcheries, that will not happen, nets or not over ponds at hatcheries don't stop a bird diving from the sky on the blind side of the fish in river to help.

[Pensacola]

Originally Posted by Jerry Dove

OK, got a little response. I will get a cost est. from OFDW. Yes they have already ask for donations. We could make checks out to North Cost Salmon Steelhead Enhancement Fund or Tillamook Anglers Corporation. Both groups are 501c3 non profits and are already invested and involved in the hazing program. Either group would be happy to accept checks marked for the study. I have a meeting with my friend that hates those birds. Now lets see if we can get more interest.

I sent a request to ODFW's Avian Predation Coordinator yesterday for their latest information on this subject. IF it comes back I'll happily share with all. Nice article in the Oregonian this morning on Fur Bag Repellents and more legal actions by the Humane Society of the US (Not Oregon)!

[ocean_314]

An idea. See if you can get some windmills on those islands that have the bird colonies.

The windmills will scare the birds and will kill many outright. Make them noisy with lots of flash.

windmills are exempt from all the endangered species acts so its should be easy to get the permits.

[crabbait]

Originally Posted by ocean_314

An idea. See if you can get some windmills on those islands that have the bird colonies.

The windmills will scare the birds and will kill many outright. Make them noisy with lots of flash.

windmills are exempt from all the endangered species acts so its should be easy to get the permits.

Please disregard. Member ocean_314 is merely trying to stir controversy, to troll if you will, and has no data to back up his surreal opinions that are presented as fact. They are fantasy.

[Dummie]

I so love pontifications sans the pulpit.

[freespool]

Originally Posted by Dummie

I so love pontifications sans the pulpit.

Your signature seems to fit you to a tee.

"Statements of fact are often no more than poorly formed opinions."

[Dummie]

Originally Posted by freespool

Your signature seems to fit you to a tee.

"Statements of fact are often no more than poorly formed opinions."

Thank you for noticing.

[Farfish]

[quote=FranklinBernard;4120586]

Originally Posted by flywrapper

Here you go, Rick...

Umm hmm
Oh ho
Oh ho
Oh ho
Oh ho

From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking step into the sun
There's more to be seen than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
Some say, eat or be eaten
Some say, live and let live
But, all are agreed as they join the stampede
You should never take more than you give

In the circle of life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap by faith
It's the band of hope
Till, we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life

Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with the scars
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rollin' high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps the great and small on the endless round

In the circle of life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap by faith
It's the band of hope
Till, we find our place
On the path unwinding, yea
In the circle

The circle of life
It's the wheel of fortune, yea
It's the leap by faith
It's the band of hope
Till, we find our place
On the path unwinding, yea
In the circle
The circle of life

On the path unwinding, yea
In the circle
The circle of life

-Sir Elton John

Well..... and a big 'ol Ifish welcome to you and Sir Elton. Are you guys fishing buddies?

Maybe you would like to tell us all a fishing story. It is sort of a fun tradition for new members.

[DogZilla15]

I just wrote a letter to Scott Learn of the Oregonian. You should too.

Today's article was a complete misrepresentation of the sea lion issue and he should be told. Again and again.

[Gun Rod Bow]

Originally Posted by Bill Monroe

Actually, Oregon is about to become the latest of more than two dozen states with permission to kill cormorants for damage control purposes...
You heard it here first...

While this is very good news, it is not new to some who have been working on this issue for a few years.

[Farfish]

Originally Posted by DogZilla15

I just wrote a letter to Scott Learn of the Oregonian. You should too.

Today's article was a complete misrepresentation of the sea lion issue and he should be told. Again and again.

I didn't see it as all that bad.

I'm curious as to what part of the story you thought was a misrepresentation.

[lucky_35]

Originally Posted by 12pulls

They are not attacking, they are eating what they are designed to eat. Stupid enough to dangle a bleeding fish in the water when they are around and be prepared to accept the consequences. Amazing how a superior being is unable to match wits with a pinniped. It's like blaming sharks for being in the ocean.

Great point, drunken driver is not attacking so stupid cop better leave them alone

[Chrome_Steel]

Originally Posted by Jerry Dove

As has been mentioned, ODFW is doing research on these birds. Killing 8 birds a day and putting them in freezers. They are killing different days of the month so as to get a better coverage of their habits. When and if they raise enough money they will unfreeze the birds and analyses what is in the bellies. This is all part of the requirements of the Feds.. They do not have the money to do this at this time. I made a statement above that we should start a fund-raiser to get the $$$$$ to get this study done. You know as in put your money where your mouth is. We all know, well most of us know, that these birds are a very large problem. I also stated that I would make the first $50.00 donation and I have a friend that would match anything we raise. I expected to hear a loud YES LETS GET THIS DONE! What did I hear, NOTHING. This is Mothers day so I will be nice and not say what I think of folks that talk a lot and then do nothing. If any one likes the idea and would like to help get this job done let me know. Jerry Dove, Tillamook, Oregon

We do have a fund its called our license fee and tags but oh yea I forgot that money goes into the GENERAL FUND. What crap.

[MPT]

Yesterday (Sunday the 20th), this fur bag was discovering a new rest ing place- The Port of Camas/Washougal outside visitors dock!

[280_Ackley_Guy]

Oh but according to some it is completely normal for these sea lions to be a 100 miles up river from the salt. That's my Monday Sarcasm. That would really suck to have tied your boat up there before he parked his fanny on the dock and then not be able to get back down until he left.

[Bait Bucket]

If they ever get to killing these fur balls, I want the one hanging out above 205 on the Willamette. He has enough hardware hanging on his head, neck and shoulders to open up a tackle store.

[freeflyinmane]

Homeland security determined they were a terrorist threat. Hmm, they must of been talking to some sea lions I guess. Poor Ak gillnetters watching big bull Stellars rip holes in their nets taking only a bite out of the stomach will be traumatized into unsubscribing to NPR over this, lol. Really sad though as they are the only efective, non-lethal deterrent that tribal and non-tribal, recreational and long line fishermen have left. What next? Ban slingshots and BB guns? Seal bombs have been used for many decades even by bait fishermen and I have never heard of any criminal use. People in government just have to keep passing more and more regulations to justify their jobs, me thinks.

[boone08]

Originally Posted by hunt2much

Sorry Norski, I offered to do it cheaper since I live right here. No drive time or gas.!!! HA ha ha.. My bid came in lower than yours and thats how the state contracts work... Not quality or quantity... Just cheapest... But for some reason my bid was rejected too???

You all know theyre gonna just going to trap them and leathal inject them right???

Instead of 223 and float em to the big blue. or C4 em and feed some sturgeon that they've been thrashing and decimating for years. Really who cares about the salmon, they're here for a month or so and theyre dead in 5 months anyway. The sturgeon are eaten for much longer of the year and they cant just slip into the ladder and head on up. They just get pounded on below the dam. Take that last statement with a grain of salt all... You know what I mean... we all do care... But, to me the sturgeon has been a far bigger, mostly untold unknown problem.

[MsOutdrs]

Looks like somebody(s) trying to take care of the sealion issue.

Two more sea lions shot to death along Oregon coast, bringing number to about 20

Published: Monday, June 04, 2012, 6:27 PM Updated: Monday, June 04, 2012, 6:28 PM

By Lori Tobias, The Oregonian The Oregonian
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GEARHART – For the second time in as many days, researchers were called Monday to the coast to necropsy a sea lion. And like the first, this one had also been shot.

That brings to about 20 the number of dead sea lions found in Northern Oregon and Southern Washington in just two months. Almost all bore clear evidence of gunshot wounds, others showed obvious trauma also likely caused by gunshots, said Dalin D'Alessandro, a Portland State University research assistant with the Northern Oregon-Southern Washington Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

"Since the beginning of April, we've seen a surge in both Stellar and California sea lions being shot," said D'Alessandro. The Stellar we had just yesterday had three bullets in the neck. This one, a California sea lion, was shot dorsally – mid back."

The sea lions have been found near the mouth of the Columbia River and a few miles north and south.

D'Alessandro believes the killing come at the hands of fishermen frustrated with the competition for their catch. It's typical to see a slight increase in the number of dead sea lions around the opening of salmon season, she said. But recent numbers are about four times what she usually sees in the same time period.

Jim Rice, Oregon Coast coordinator for the Marine Mammal Stranding Network believes the numbers be unprecedented in recent memory.

"Marine mammals have been protected since the early '70s," Rice said. "Prior to that there were actually bounties on the animals and they were hunted quite actively. It is certainly unprecedented within that time frame."

There is also concern that killings involve both Stellar and California sea lions. The population of California sea lions are much larger.

Stellar sea lions are on the threatened species list, said Rice. "It is brazen that these people will shoot these animals that are federally protected," said Rice. "It's really alarming."

He also suspects the controversy over the sea lions at the Bonneville Dam may be contributing to the shootings.

"The fact that it is something the state authorities are doing may give people the idea that is OK for them to shoot them, too," said Rice. "It is not OK."

– Lori Tobias



Related topics: sea lions

[long_shot]

Yep that was the highlight of my weekend seeing those two DEAD predators on the beach!

[MsOutdrs]

Originally Posted by long_shot

Yep that was the highlight of my weekend seeing those two DEAD predators on the beach!

How decomposed were they? Wondering if they were "shot" up at Bonneville or further down river. I always thought if a few were shot and left to float down the river, the rest would clear out. Course, this time of the year they are going back "home" to do their thing so we can have even more to deal with next year.

[long_shot]

Originally Posted by MsOutdrs

How decomposed were they? Wondering if they were "shot" up at Bonneville or further down river. I always thought if a few were shot and left to float down the river, the rest would clear out. Course, this time of the year they are going back "home" to do their thing so we can have even more to deal with next year.

I didn't stop and take a close look, but they didn't appear to be that old. Maybe a day or 2. The one north of Sunset beach was numbered and was a big one, the one that was south of Sunset was a little smaller and I didn't see any noticeable tags or markings.

[Fishinbuck]

Do sea lions eat shad?

[280_Ackley_Guy]

They eat smelt so why not shad too. I think they would eat anything that swims close enuff.

[saltydownrigger]

I keep praying they have an open season for these beasts in fresh water. I have an AR-15 named Tia with an EO tech HWS just waiting for the day. And I thought tuna fishing was fun, that would be freaking awesome. Have to invest in a harpoon of course. Think of all the electricity you could save with oil burning lamps, water proof boots the possibilites are endless.

[ReelDeal87]

I wish that ther can just be a Go Ahead to just End all of the Seals and Sea Lions in the Columbia ther are not needed here

[judyfish99]

http://www.oregonlive.com/environmen...to_make_k.html

[MsOutdrs]

Is it too good to be true...the US Humane Society is finally losing it's "lock" on this issue? Maybe they are finally losing their power and people are catching on.

[dieseldoc]

Originally Posted by judyfish99

http://www.oregonlive.com/environmen...to_make_k.html

About time!!!!!!!!!:appl ause:

[E-Fishin-C]

FYI: I just received a call from a friend telling me that the Sea Shepherds have been up at Bonneville Dam watching the Sea Lions. Apparently they are thinking about putting in some small boats to protect the Sea Lions from harassment.

[AnnaDraMoss]

Interfering in Federal Activity?

[Bill Monroe Jr.]

LOL

[Dummie]

Originally Posted by E-Fishin-C

FYI: I just received a call from a friend telling me that the Sea Shepherds have been up at Bonneville Dam watching the Sea Lions. Apparently they are thinking about putting in some small boats to protect the Sea Lions from harassment.

That doesn't seem very well thought out.

[skybuster]

From what I've seen of their boat operating skills I say let them attempt to launch and run vessels up there, they should sink themselves in no time.

[JHawKS]

I have a canoe I'd donate to them

[Swifty27]

Originally Posted by skybuster

From what I've seen of their boat operating skills I say let them attempt to launch and run vessels up there, they should sink themselves in no time.

Or, just point them a little upstream to the tribal nets.

[Swifty27]

Ya, looks to be true. I will be writing them e-mails to let them know they are not welcome.

http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2012/04/20/sea-shepherd-is-looking-for-volunteers-to-be-dam-guardians-1362
http://www.seashepherd.org/commentary-and-editorials/2012/03/28/impressions-on-the-bonneville-dam-524

[E-Fishin-C]

Sea Shepherd is Looking for Volunteers to be Dam Guardians

We need volunteers to be present at the Bonneville Dam and at the trap site in Astoria, Oregon. We need your help to stop the slaughter of federally protected California sea lions on the Columbia River. We believe that by our constant vigilance on the river, we can effect change and save the lives of sea lions. SSCS is looking for folks who can work independently, professionally, be calm, cool, deliberate, intense, courageous and passionate.
Sea Shepherd's amazing and effective Cove Guardian Leader, Scott West will be leading the campaign.

[rowmanholiday]

They should be down at the estuary, if they are going to be here at all, where the illegal removal (killing) is taking place.