FW: AWI eALERT: Oppose Plans to Kill California Sea Lions: Letters Needed by February 19

February 5, 2008

Tue, 5 Feb 2008 16:20:30 -0500ealertSubject: AWI eALERT: Oppose Plans to Kill California Sea Lions: Letters Needed by February 19

If you have trouble reading this e-mail, go to http://www.awionline.org/legislation/eAlerts/020508.htm

February 5, 2008 Oppose Plans to Kill California Sea Lions: Letters Needed by February 19

Dear Humanitarian:

Last year, we informed you of the request made by the states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho to kill California sea lions from the Columbia River, claiming a need to aid the recovery of endangered and threatened salmon and steelhead. Many thanks to those who responded.

Unfortunately, in November, the Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force – an 18-member committee appointed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) – voted 17-1 in favor of the lethal removal of the sea lions. NMFS is now accepting comments on the Task Force’s decision until February 19.

Although sea lions eat fish, there is no concrete evidence that removing the animals will benefit the at-risk species of salmon and steelhead. Sea lions are opportunistic predators and the criteria for selecting the individuals to remove are very loose. Some of the sea lions will be killed, while others will be transferred to captive facilities. No provisions have been made to ensure that the animals removed are actually the ones who are eating the most fish. NMFS admits that the removed individuals will be replaced by other sea lions searching for an easy meal.

It is estimated that sea lions consume 2 to 4 percent of the Columbia River fish. However, many more fish are put at risk by human actions, such as overfishing and habitat impairment. Unnatural changes in the environment by hydropower structures have tipped the balance in favor of the sea lions by congregating the fish at the base of the Bonneville dam, making them particularly vulnerable to predation. Hydropower facilities are responsible for 2 to 16 percent of fish deaths, and fishermen are responsible for another 4 to 17 percent.

The endangered salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River need long-term solutions, not the knee-jerk reaction to scapegoat and kill sea lions.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Please make your views known, stressing the importance of sea lion welfare and humane, long-lasting and effective fisheries management. Comments must be received by February 19, 2008. Write to:

Garth Griffin, Protected Resources Division1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100Portland, Oregon 97232sea.lion.comments

Federal Register Notice: www.nwr.noaa.gov/Publications/FR-Notices/2008/upload/73FR3453.pdf

Thank you for speaking out on behalf of California sea lions!

Sincerely,Cathy LissPresident

For over 57 years, AWI has been the leading voice for animals across the country and on Capitol Hill. Please join us in our ongoing campaigns to reduce the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans.