06-24-2013, 09:36 PM
SEA LIONS- TO KILL OR NOT TO KILL
![[Image: Sea_Lion_Fish-M.jpg]](http://www.bdoutdoors.com/resources_tiny/News/sea_lion_controversy_/Sea_Lion_Fish-M.jpg)
As in every debate, there are moderate viewpoints towards the middle of the road and then there are the “zealots” on either side of the issue who will not listen or be swayed. This holds true for just about every tough subject that we face as a society.
The subject of sea lions vs. salmon is not above this universal dynamic. A very emotionally charged battle is brewing as lawmakers struggle to make proposals that could save the endangered native salmon and possibly kill some problematic sea lions.
sea lions http://www.bdoutdoors.com/resources_tiny...ble_2_.JPG
It is documented that certain groups of sea lions, have learned to frequent the holding areas and fish ladders that are a part of dams in the Pacific Northwest region of the country. Here the fish, which include the endangered salmon and sturgeon, congregate as they work their way upstream to spawn.
Now sea lions naturally prey on fish, but the fish don't naturally have to climb ladders to swim upstream.
dams fishNow getting people to go without electricity will be an even bigger battle, so the dams are not going anywhere. According to NOAA, 60 percent of the Pacific Northwest's power comes from hydroelectric sources. “Hydro” accounts for seven percent of the U.S. supply as well. Besides generating multi-million kilowatts of clean energy, the dams are major components of flood control and facilitate shipping on inland waters.
fish ladder
Now billions of dollars have been invested in preserving salmon and other native fish. Fish ladders and other devices were developed to allow the passage of migrating fish to continue their ancient spawning runs and minimize the impact of the dams. But now these same measures built to save the fish are making them easy pickings for hungry sea lions that have learned to “work the system”.
Couple this with the fact that under the Marine Mammals Protection Act, sea lions are totally off limits despite they're skyrocketing numbers. It has been eluded that the decline of large sea lion predators, namely sharks, and blanket protection has caused an un-natural explosion in the sea lion population.
sea lion
Fishermen deal with the frustration of losing their catch to sea lions all of the time. Tough to deal with them, but they do it.
Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) has introduced a bill to the House of Representatives that addresses this growing danger to wild fish populations. He got it passed last year in the House, but it did not get through the Senate. This bill would allow Washington, Idaho and Oregon to issue permits to use lethal means of control for sea lions that are deemed a threat to the salmon populations.
seal salmon
While this in not a call for wholesale killing, the extreme sides of the animal issues are ready to pull the plug on humanity in order to save every seal. As I'm sure the other extreme wants to kill them all. More moderate attempts have already been made to trap and relocate these problem sea lions, but tagged individuals quickly show back up to take advantage of the free buffet.
Some where in the middle of this mess should be a scientifically based solution, but getting there won't be fun.
However, while we debate, study and point fingers at one another, this group of seals are feasting away on endangered salmon and sturgeon like there's no tomorrow. I hope that is not the case for either one, but we need to strike the balance soon.
As in every debate, there are moderate viewpoints towards the middle of the road and then there are the “zealots” on either side of the issue who will not listen or be swayed. This holds true for just about every tough subject that we face as a society.
The subject of sea lions vs. salmon is not above this universal dynamic. A very emotionally charged battle is brewing as lawmakers struggle to make proposals that could save the endangered native salmon and possibly kill some problematic sea lions.
sea lions http://www.bdoutdoors.com/resources_tiny...ble_2_.JPG
It is documented that certain groups of sea lions, have learned to frequent the holding areas and fish ladders that are a part of dams in the Pacific Northwest region of the country. Here the fish, which include the endangered salmon and sturgeon, congregate as they work their way upstream to spawn.
Now sea lions naturally prey on fish, but the fish don't naturally have to climb ladders to swim upstream.
dams fishNow getting people to go without electricity will be an even bigger battle, so the dams are not going anywhere. According to NOAA, 60 percent of the Pacific Northwest's power comes from hydroelectric sources. “Hydro” accounts for seven percent of the U.S. supply as well. Besides generating multi-million kilowatts of clean energy, the dams are major components of flood control and facilitate shipping on inland waters.
fish ladder
Now billions of dollars have been invested in preserving salmon and other native fish. Fish ladders and other devices were developed to allow the passage of migrating fish to continue their ancient spawning runs and minimize the impact of the dams. But now these same measures built to save the fish are making them easy pickings for hungry sea lions that have learned to “work the system”.
Couple this with the fact that under the Marine Mammals Protection Act, sea lions are totally off limits despite they're skyrocketing numbers. It has been eluded that the decline of large sea lion predators, namely sharks, and blanket protection has caused an un-natural explosion in the sea lion population.
sea lion
Fishermen deal with the frustration of losing their catch to sea lions all of the time. Tough to deal with them, but they do it.
Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) has introduced a bill to the House of Representatives that addresses this growing danger to wild fish populations. He got it passed last year in the House, but it did not get through the Senate. This bill would allow Washington, Idaho and Oregon to issue permits to use lethal means of control for sea lions that are deemed a threat to the salmon populations.
seal salmon
While this in not a call for wholesale killing, the extreme sides of the animal issues are ready to pull the plug on humanity in order to save every seal. As I'm sure the other extreme wants to kill them all. More moderate attempts have already been made to trap and relocate these problem sea lions, but tagged individuals quickly show back up to take advantage of the free buffet.
Some where in the middle of this mess should be a scientifically based solution, but getting there won't be fun.
However, while we debate, study and point fingers at one another, this group of seals are feasting away on endangered salmon and sturgeon like there's no tomorrow. I hope that is not the case for either one, but we need to strike the balance soon.
Let God lead the way!
Give a man a fish he eats for one day, teach him to fish he eats forever!
Give a man a fish he eats for one day, teach him to fish he eats forever!
