Trapping protests rise after sea lion dies

PORTLAND — One of seven sea lions trapped at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River and sent to the Port Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma has died while undergoing medical inspection before transfer to a Sea World park, the Humane Society of the United States said Tuesday.

The society, which is mounting a federal appeals-court challenge to federal authorization to kill or capture some of the animals, demanded a moratorium on the captures until a full investigation can be held.

"Given that sea lions eat so few of the salmon compared to overfishing and other impacts, there should be no rush to remove these animals from the wild, especially in light of the apparent problems with capture and relocation," said Michael Markarian, the group's executive vice president.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Rick Hargrave confirmed the death, saying the sea lion "went under anesthesia and never came back."

Hargrave added that the department's marine-mammal specialist, Robin Brown, said such deaths are neither common nor unusual among marine mammals. Hargrave said plans are to continue trapping on Mondays and Thursdays.

The sea lion, branded as B198, was anesthetized so blood samples and other biological work could be done to make sure it was healthy, said Sharon Young, who directs the marine-mammal program for the Humane Society.

Oregon and Washington fish and wildlife authorities started trapping the animals on Thursday after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said federally authorized captures could proceed but said no animals could be killed pending the outcome of a hearing the court has scheduled for May 8.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), at the request of Oregon and Washington, authorized the killing or capture of up to 85 sea lions a year for five years at the base of the dam, where they feed on salmon headed upriver to spawn. The NMFS recommended that the total number be closer to 30 and that emphasis be placed on live trapping.

State wildlife officials say they have confirmed commitments for homes for 19 or 20 of the animals.

Those sent to Tacoma were branded or otherwise identifiable as being among about 60 animals known to be problems and targeted for immediate removal.

Several others, including some threatened Steller's sea lions, have been caught at the dam but were not on the "wanted" list and were released on the spot or taken to the mouth of the river near Astoria, Ore., and freed.

The sea lions are not endangered or threatened, but are protected under the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act.

An amendment to the act allows selected animals to be captured or killed under some circumstances if states request it.

The Humane Society contends the NMFS has not proved the required "significant negative impact" from sea lions on the salmon runs. It seeks an injunction barring trapping or killing for this year until the case can get through the courts.

The government contends the animals do major damage to fish runs that are supported at heavy public cost. It is backed by Columbia River Indian tribes and commercial- and sport-fishing interests.