Death Sentence for Sea Lions
I have commented before here on the plight of the Columbia River sea lions. Despite the fact that they are a natural part of the wildlife that appears on the Columbia River, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife has found it necessary to kill some of the sea lions around Bonneville Dam because they are eating an endangered species of fish. I find it appalling that ODFW, the agency responsible for protecting our state’s fish and wildlife, is resorting to killing the animals for doing what they do naturally. They are eating dinner.
I do understand that we need to take steps to protect the salmon and sturgeon in the Columbia River. But, depending upon the study quoted, the sea lions are eating between 0.2% and 4.2% of the fish going upstream. W can compare this to the fishing by humans on the river that take many times that number of fish, despite the elimination of much commercial fishing on the river. We can also compare this to the statistic that Bonneville Dam itself claims as many as half the fish that are swimming upstream.
I am certainly not advocating removing the major dams from the Columbia River at this time, although that might be a worthy long term goal. However, I believe that blaming the problems of dwindling salmon runs on the natural presence of sea lions is the wrong move. Certainly, it is not right to kill those sea lions that eat their natural food. This action is akin to simply deciding to kill off all the sea lions.
Our state governments are trying to get this issue past us by claiming that they are only killing a few of the “worst offending” individual sea lions. they claim to kill only those few who are consuming the greatest number of fish. In reality, their actions have not matched these words. Observers have seen ODFW capturing and killing many sea lions on a continuing basis. At least one of these was killed for eating as few as two fish. I am certain that this is not what any of us have in mind.
Before we go out and continue this new policy of eradicating one species to allegedly save another, it might be prudent to see what the problems might be with killing these sea lions. Certainly they are also an important part of nature.
I lived in Astoria for several years. I know that the sea lions are numerous in the Columbia River. I have heard their voices on quiet mornings and evenings, and know that all is well with them. Yes, I also know that they are a nuisance at times on assorted fishing and boating docks in the area. Generally, the people have managed to find ways to work around them without causing undue harm and, notably, without killing them. I would like to think that, after hundreds of years of humans living together with the wildlife of the Columbia River, that we can somehow get by and save the fish without killing off another species of animal. There must be a middle ground.
I would encourage you to take an interest in this issue. I recently found a website that shows the efforts of one group, the Sea Lion Defense Brigade, to organize efforts toward stopping the killings of these beautiful animals. On their site, you will find lists of the affected sea lions, summaries of the issues revolving around the sea lions and the fish runs, links to other resources on the issue, and a call to do what you can to help with the problem. Their site is worth a few minutes of your time if you care at all about these animals.
Currently, the capturing and killing efforts have moved away from Bonneville Dam and are about to be ramped up in Astoria. I’m certain that the tourists who visit the Lower Columbia region would be horrified to find out that these animals are being killed by the state.
Yes, the ODFW now has approval from the courts to kill some of these animals. That still does not mean that it is something that should be done. There are better solutions. Let’s not treat the majestic sea lions the same way we treat rats and other vermin.
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