The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received an application to renew a permit allowing the lethal removal of California and Steller sea lions in the Columbia River area.
The permit, originally issued in August 2020, is set to expire in August 2025. The renewal would extend it for another five years.
The application was submitted by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and several Native American tribes.
The purpose of the permit is to protect endangered and threatened fish species, including salmon and steelhead, from predation by sea lions.
The geographic area covered by the permit includes the main stem of the Columbia River between river mile 112 and McNary Dam, as well as tributaries with spawning habitats for these fish.
Since the permit’s issuance, 60 California sea lions and 78 Steller sea lions have been removed, which is below the authorized limit.
The removal of these sea lions is estimated to have saved between 16,211 and 44,974 adult salmonids from predation.
Public comments on the renewal application are being solicited until May 12, 2025, with NMFS particularly interested in observations of sea lion predation and their impact on fish species in the area.
Impact on Washington and Idaho: Sea Lion Removal Permit Renewal
The renewal application for the sea lion removal permit also involves the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, highlighting the collaborative regional effort to protect endangered fish species.
The permit’s renewal is crucial for the protection of fish populations not only in Oregon but also in Washington and Idaho, as these states share the Columbia River’s ecosystem and are affected by sea lion predation.
Native American tribes, including the Nez Perce Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, are also involved in the application, emphasizing the cultural and ecological importance of the fish species to these communities.
The permit covers tributaries with spawning habitats for threatened or endangered salmon and steelhead, which are vital to the ecosystems and communities in Washington and Idaho as well.
To view the original document on the Federal Register, click here.