November 22, 2008 Contact Us | FAQ | Privacy Policy

Tribes Call For Action On Sea Lion Predation

Charles Hudson | April 11, 2005

The Columbia River treaty fishing tribes today asked the states of Oregon and Washington to take the most assertive response available under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to address the growing sea lion predation problem on endangered Columbia River salmon stocks.

In a letter to the directors of each state’s fish and wildlife agency the tribes "strongly recommend that the states of Oregon and Washington utilize the MMPA Section 120 (16 U.S.C. § 1389) process to obtain authority to remove problem animals that are impacting listed salmonids, including, but not limited to, lethal take."

The tribes cite previous experiences at Willamette Falls and the highly publicized problems at the Ballard Locks in asking the states to seek such authority from the NOAA Fisheries warning that, "the problem must be quickly addressed or it will quickly escalate."

"The sea lion predation problem in the Columbia River has increased seven-fold in the past few years," said Olney Patt Jr., executive director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, representing the Nez Perce, Warm Springs, Yakama and Umatilla tribes. "We're asking the states to utilize every authority available, within the existing law, to best manage this problem. The Marine Mammal Protection Act is a cumbersome law but it does have some available options. We're pleased to see the hazing efforts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Bonneville Dam have some positive effect, but we need all agencies to exercise their management options to effectively deal with this frustrating situation."

In the early 1970's, California sea lion population numbered only around 50,000 animals, requiring protection under the MMPA. NOAA Fisheries now estimates the sea lions have grown to a healthy and robust population of over 300,000 animals.

About CRITFC: The Portland-based Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission provides technical support and coordination for fishery-management policies of the Columbia River Basin's four treaty tribes: the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, the Yakama Nation and the Nez Perce Tribe. Learn more about CRITFC's member tribes at http://www.critfc.org.

See the full letter here.pdf

Explore Our Watersheds

Copper River

The Copper River Delta has the largest concentration of nesting shorebirds in North America, is an important nursery for prized salmon and other fisheries, and is a relatively unspoiled wilderness area with keystone predators including wolves and grizzlies.

Columbia River

The Columbia River watershed is a critical link in the mega-linkages of the Pacific flyway and predator migration corridor. It is the nerve center for salmon restoration, and one of the world's most highly manipulated great river systems.

Colorado River

The Colorado River system flows 1,450 miles through nine states and Mexico; the Grand Canyon was created by its waters. The aridity of most of this region has made its water into a valuable commodity, and the fragile desert, canyon, and delta ecosystems it supports have suffered as a result.

RFA Programs

Clean Water, Biodiversity, and Environmental Justice Initiative

This initiative links RFA's policies of supporting indigenous peoples, drumming home the common sense linkages between clean healthy water for human use, strong biodiverse and healthy ecosystems, and environmental justice for indigenous peoples and economically disadvantaged people throughout the Americas. Continue reading below for more about this initiative, or go to Global Water Policy Initiative to learn about RFA's other main initiative.

Global Water Policy Initiative

This initiative works at the heart of water policy issues, especially the global debate on the privatization of fresh water resources and growing water supply controversies throughout the United States and the hemisphere. We believe that all children and all people deserve clean water, and that access to a subsistence level of water is a basic human obligation. Continue reading below for more about this initiative, or go to Clean Water, Biodiversity, and Environmental Justice to learn about RFA's other main initiative.

Donating to RFA

The Rivers Foundation of the Americas is a public foundation dedicated to promoting and funding the protection and restoration of rivers in the Americas. Your passion for environmental preservation and social justice is a passion shared by all RFA board and staff members and by the organizations the Rivers Foundation helps to fund.

Make a Donation Today!