20 dead sea lions found in 2 months in northern Oregon, southern Washington
Source: The Associated Press
GEARHART, Ore. — About 20 dead sea lions — most with gunshot wounds — have been found in northern Oregon and southern Washington in just two months, a marine mammal researcher says.
Dalin D’Alessandro tells The Oregonian (http://is.gd/2a3KRM) that the shooting surge since the beginning of April is claiming both California and Steller sea lions. She’s a Portland State University research assistant with the Northern Oregon-Southern Washington Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
The dead creatures have been found near the mouth of the Columbia River and a few miles to the north and south.
D’Alessandro thinks the killing is due to fishermen frustrated over competition for their catch. While it’s typical to see a slight increase in dead sea lions around the opening of salmon season, recent numbers are about four times the norm for the same time period, she said.
Last month, a federal judge rejected a request to halt the killing of California sea lions that eat protected salmon at Oregon’s Bonneville Dam. That program allows Idaho, Oregon and Washington authorities to kill targeted sea lions.
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