Sea Lion Defense Brigade - saving sea lions from being killed by Oregon Fish and Wildlife

[Annces]

This is a grassroots organization who is trying to stop the killing of sea lions who come to the Bonneville Dam in early spring and eat some of the fish. The Dept of Fish and Wildlife has wrongfully claimed that the sea lions are taking fish away from fisherman, when they only eat a tiny percentage of fish, and have a right to be there. The Humane Society has filed a 2nd lawsuit to stop the killing also. If more citizens got involved, the Fish and Wildlife would back down for sure.






Grateful Thank You to Everyone Who Helped With Monitoring This Spring


It’s been a painful and emotionally difficult spring, as we were forced to stand helplessly on the shore while ten sea lions were unceremoniously put to death by the State. We will remember them all, each and every one. All of their lives were meaningful, and all deserved better than they got. Two of them, especially, will be greatly missed by those of us who knew them. Branded C578 and C579 by the State, these two were lifelong friends. (For their story, please see http://sealiondefensebrigade.org/?p=286.) If it had not been for the efforts of those of you willing to patrol the Columbia this year, there would almost certainly have been many more killings. Your efforts have meant the difference between life and death for at least some of the sea lions who call Cascadia home.

I want to thank those of you who joined us to keep watch on the banks and in the waters of the Columbia this spring. Your work has helped to save some lives, even if we could not save them all.

Now, the sea lions are moving toward their summer breeding grounds in Southern California. (Where, by the way, it gets much hotter than the 50 degrees in which the State claims six animals mysteriously died of heat stroke last year. But that’s another story.) Although there are still some animals at the mouth of the river, most of them are safely away from here for now. The ODFW plans to continue to trap and, at the least, to apply gruesome brands to their flesh out in Astoria if and when they are able to catch them. The Letter of Authority allows the ODFW to continue to kill any animals that are on their death list, anywhere they find them other than their rookeries, and at any time of the year. ODFW officials have been less than forthright as to whether they intend to do so or not. (Asked straight out, they have said that “trapping and marking will continue,” and their website says, “Routine trapping and marking operations in Astoria are continuing.” They seem to be implying that the only activities going on now are non-lethal, but so far they have neither confirmed nor denied to us that the killing is over for this year.)

Monitors in the Astoria area (or those who want to travel there) are encouraged to continue to keep an eye on things out there. Other than this, SLDB monitors are standing down for the summer, while the sea lions are out of Cascadia. This could change, pending any new information. Thanks so much to everyone who turned out this spring to watch the traps, the river, and the sea lions. If you would be interested in helping to monitor when the sea lions return, please contact us at [e-mail]. You can also call In Defense of Animals at [phone] for information about monitoring.

As always, we encourage anyone with any information to share about the sea lions, or about the agencies taking part in the killing program, to contact us anonymously if you are willing.

http://sealiondefensebrigade.org/?p=471#more-471

[sandnsea]

1. *sigh*

The sea lions are part of the problem with the salmon population. Not the only problem, but part of the problem. Why oh why can't everybody join together in one room and address the problems of increasing the salmon population which would mean implementing river and forest practices that would be good all the way around.

Just Say No cannot be the end and all of any political activist group. The problems are too big.

[here_is_to_hope]

2. I have no problem with these

sea lions being shot.
They don't belong there and would not be there except for the dam making easy pickings of the salmon.
Facts are facts, sea lions have made a huge come back and do not belong on any ones short list of protected species.
I have thousands within a few miles of my house and I do not hesitate to shoot one when it attempts to grab a salmon or tuna thats hooked on my line.

[no bad days]

3. I would have to agree...............

There are so many sea lions they are about as "threatened" as rats.

[LWolf]

4. Then it sounds like

the real solution is to get rid of the damn.

Help the salmon, send the sea lions back to the sea.....

[no bad days]

5. It's not the dam problem............

There is an overabundance of sea lions period. Why so many feel for the sea lions and not the salmon I'll never know.

[LWolf]

6. Sea lions are mammals, salmon are fish.

People tend to be drawn more to mammals than fish.

I don't value one more than the other.

Of course, I'm the one that will say that until we manage our own numbers so that we don't impact any other species, or habitats, or ecosystems, or the biosphere, we probably shouldn't be complaining about the overabundance of any other.

[no bad days]

7. Fish nazi's?

I know some vegetarians will eat fish, as you stated many feel for mammals over fish so......are they some sort of fish nazi's? (or would it make them mammal nazi's?) I don't know its just all so confusing.........

[quakerboy]

8. Plus one

particularly on that last sentence.