Everyone knows that sea lions are a problem in the Columbia River and everyone seems to realize it except the resource management team in the state of Washington and the Governor’s Office.

A friend of mine Bob Harmon, attended the Columbia River Recreation Advisory Group meeting on Jan. 22 and reported that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife observed more than 60 oversize sturgeon kills last year at Bonneville. Actually, the number killed was much higher than what workers observed. This is a major problem.

Stellars have been up there since Dec. 9 and are killing brood stock every day. Current plans call for hazing of these animals to not start until March 1. WDFW requested funds from the Governor’s Supplemental Budget, but were turned down. This is blatant disregard for our world class Columbia River sturgeon fishery, which is in huge jeopardy, and the Governor’s office can’t find a few thousand dollars to start hazing on Feb. 1.

Thank God for Oregon resource managers and their prospective regarding the situation.

On Jan. 24, I spoke with Charlie Corrarino, Conservation and Recovery Program manager for Oregon. He was extremely knowledgeable and provided some unique insight into the problem with Stellar sea lions. Corrarino said, “We (Oregon) are going to start a hazing program tomorrow Jan. 25. The real kill on oversize sturgeon was 167 fish and it was observed that of that total only one was taken by California sea lions, the rest by Stellar sea lions. The reason being that a grown male Stellar sea lion is at least three times as big (2,000-pounds plus) as an adult California sea lion and much more capable eating an oversize sturgeon. The Stellar is also much more susceptible to hazing and scares very easily. Two days after we started hazing last season we did not see one Stellar take a sturgeon.”

He also directed me to a Web site, www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mammals/Seals-and-Sea-Lions/Deterring-Pinninipeds.cfm that outlines the recommendations for deterring problem seals and sea lions.

The Marine Mammals Protection Act generally prohibits harassment or killing of marine mammals. However, the law does contain exceptions authorizing people to do so to deter marine mammals from damaging private property, including fishing gear and catch, so long as the methods used do not result in the death or serious injury to the animal.

Here is the key, Endangered Species Act Listed Species, Stellar sea lions-(threatened), may not be deterred by the public.

Non-ESA Listed Species, California Sea Lions and Pacific harbor seals may be deterred by the public. Remember that – it is very important!

Potential methods for use by fishers to deter Pacific harbor seals and California sea lions from damaging gear or catch (anglers must be actively fishing with gear deployed).

Visual Repellents/Noise Makers:

boat hazing, circling

pounding on hull

pyrotechnics (e.g. bird screamers, bangers, underwater firecrackers)

starter pistols

horns, bells, whistles

Physical Contact:

slingshots

paintball guns

non-lethal ammunition (rubber bullets, sabot rounds, game stingers)

Methods to Avoid

The following methods and techniques have increased likelihood of causing injury or death and must be avoided:

No firearms with “live” lethal ammo.

No devices with injurious projectiles (archery gear, crossbows, spear guns, bangsticks)

No sharp/pointed objects (spears, harpoons, gaffs, nail-studded items)

No entangling devices (loose webbing, snares, concertina wire)

No aggressive tactile methods (striking animals with bats, hammers, boats)

No tainted baits or poisonsRegardless of the method or intent, the property owner or fisher may be subject to prosecution should the marine mammal be seriously injured or killed as a result of deterrence efforts for the protection of property, gear or catch.

Identifying the Stellar sea lionA full grown male can weight up to 2,000 pounds and a female only 600 pounds. Adult fur is light to reddish brown in color and adult males develop thick neck muscles that are covered by long course hair that looks like a mane, hence the name sea lion. The California sea lion is darker brown or black in color and a large “bump” extends from the male’s forehead. Steller sea lion vocalizations sound like roars, whereas California sea lion vocalizations sound like barks.

I hope this article will help you understand the struggle that all Northwest residents face in helping to conserve the white sturgeon as a valuable resource.