BONNEVILLE, Ore. (AP) — Officials in Washington and Oregon say they’re increasingly worried about Steller sea lions feasting on sturgeon at the Columbia River’s Bonneville Dam.
The Oregonian reports that from Jan. 7 through Feb. 17, the sea lions killed more than 1,400 sturgeon — already surpassing last year’s total.
Historically, biologists have been concerned about California sea lions that show up in the spring to feast on endangered, migrating chinook salmon. But a few years ago the larger and more aggressive Stellers, which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, showed up and began staying year round.
Columbia River sturgeon aren’t protected under the Endangered Species Act, but their numbers have been steadily dropping. Oregon and Washington this month put their tightest limits ever on sport and commercial sturgeon fishing. They’re also seeking to have Steller sea lions removed from the threatened list.
