Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, sea lions are protected from harassment by humans. However, an exception is made for specific circumstances in which sea lions are deemed to be a significant threat to salmon.
In this case, California sea lions have been observed eating endangered Columbia River chinook salmon at Bonneville Dam, on the border between Washington and Oregon.
In 2010, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Fisheries estimated that sea lions consumed less than 2% of the salmon run. In stark contrast, approximately 17% of the salmon run in 2010 was taken annually by sport, commercial, and tribal fishermen. Furthermore, salmon face additional anthropogenic threats in the form of dams, introduction of non-native fish for sport fishermen, and destruction of habitat. Sea lions are merely convenient scapegoats.
We, the undersigned, pledge to boycott Washington and Oregon tourism until the harassment of sea lions is ended. Tourism is worth $25 billion annually to these two states. We sincerely hope that the Washington Tourism Alliance and the Oregon Tourism Commission will urge Governors Kitzhaber (OR) and Gregoire (WA) to stop capturing and killing sea lions.
We, the undersigned, pledge to boycott Washington and Oregon tourism until the harassment of sea lions is ended. Tourism is worth $25 billion annually to these two states. We sincerely hope that the Washington Tourism Alliance and the Oregon Tourism Commission will urge Governors Kitzhaber (OR) and Gregoire (WA) to stop capturing and killing sea lions.
Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, sea lions are protected from harassment by humans. However, an exception is made for specific circumstances in which sea lions are deemed to be a significant threat to salmon.
In this case, California sea lions have been observed eating endangered Columbia River chinook salmon at Bonneville Dam, on the border between Washington and Oregon.
In 2010, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Fisheries estimated that sea lions consumed less than 2% of the salmon run. In stark contrast, approximately 17% of the salmon run in 2010 was taken annually by sport, commercial, and tribal fishermen. Furthermore, salmon face additional anthropogenic threats in the form of dams, introduction of non-native fish for sport fishermen, and destruction of habitat. Sea lions are merely convenient scapegoats.
