Marine Mammal Protection Act Section 120(f) Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force

NOAA Fisheries announces that it is convening a Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force (Task Force) to provide NOAA Fisheries with a recommendation to either approve or deny the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game; the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation; and the Willamette Committee’s June 13, 2019, application, pursuant to §120(f) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, requesting authorization to intentionally take, by lethal methods, California sea lions and Steller sea lions that are located in the main stem of the Columbia River between river mile 112 (I-205 Bridge) and river mile 292 (McNary Dam), or in any tributary to the Columbia River that includes spawning habitat of threatened or endangered salmon or steelhead.

Meeting Announcement (pdf)

Members of the public may attend the meeting. A specific time slot will be provided on the agenda for the public to provide comments or information for the Task Force to consider. Please RSVP Kearns and West at 971-229-4598 if you plan to provide public input at the meeting.

Task Force page and publications