Feds Approve Killing Sea Lions in the Columbia River

The Federal government has approved the killing of California Sea Lions in the Columbia River, blaming them for killing and eating endangered salmon. Never mind the main reasons for the problems with the salmon: hatcheries, human harvest, hydropower and the destruction of habitat.

Salmon Threatened by Humans, Not Sea Lions

Here's someone else who agrees with me that sea lions are not the true threat to salmon. She highlights dams, but that is only one of the four H's (hydro, harvest, habitat and hatcheries) that are obliterating this beautiful creature.

I think this opinion is pretty wide-spread. It's just easier to kill sea lions that to break down dams.

Sea Lion Euthanized at Bonneville Dam

Sorry, another Washington State story.

Sea lions are killed here for eating salmon. About 60 have already been identified as nuisance animals with the possibility of future trapping and euthanization.

It really makes me angry. We all know that it's not the sea lions' fault that the salmon runs are either threatened or endangered. It's the humans' fault through overharvesting, the use of fish hatcheries, hydropower dams (like Bonneville) and the decimation of habitat.

But we don't euthanize humans for that, do we?

Kill the Sea Lions Before They Kill Again!

This is pretty frustrating. The major threats to salmon are the 4 'H's: habitat, hatcheries, hydro(power) and harvest. All driven by humans. But we can't get rid of humans, of course, and we need to punish someone who can't fight back.

Let's pick the sea lions!

Portland judge said Wednesday the Northwest states can kill hungry sea lions on the Columbia River. The animals eat salmon as the fish try to pass Bonneville Dam each spring.

Judge Michael Mosman’s ruling means Washington, Oregon and Idaho can shoot or remove up to 85 sea lions next year. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates the animals eat three thousand salmon annually.

Mosman denied an attempt by the Humane Society of the United States to stop the killings. The group’s Sharon Young says fisheries managers are using the sea lions as scapegoats.

Three thousand salmon annually? Do you know how much salmon is wasted and destroyed in processing plants, restaurants, and grocery stores? Please, I used to work for a seafood company and had to order cases dumped when they got past the expiration date. Three thousand salmon is nothing.

Thanks to Rose for the heads up.