States, Tribes Seek NOAA Permit To Expand Lethal Removal Of Sea Lions From Columbia River, Tributaries; Could Allow Euthanizing Up To 400 Animals Feeding On ESA Salmon, Sturgeon

With the growing worry about sea lion predation – both California and steller – on Endangered Species Act-listed salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River basin, three states and four Native American Tribes applied last week to NOAA Fisheries to lethally remove as many as 286 California and 130 steller sea lions from the river and some tributaries.