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MMPA Sec 120 Task Force Meeting

Marine Mammal Protection Act §120 Pinniped - Fishery Interaction Task Force for the Willamette River to Convene Online on March 5, 2024

Meeting |
West Coast

About

Virtual-only Meeting - March 5, 2024, 10:00 - 12:00, Pacific Time

Video and Teleconference Call Information

meet.google.com/osw-rcfk-fnk

(US)4439-486-513 1+ PIN: 757# 788 355

Members of the public may attend the meeting.

Background

NOAA Fisheries announces that it is convening the Willamette Falls Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force (Task Force) to review the state's implementation of the pinniped removal authority authorized by NOAA Fisheries under section 120 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

On November 14, 2018, NOAA Fisheries authorized the state to lethally remove individually identifiable California sea lions that are having a significant negative impact on ESA-listed salmon and steelhead in the Willamette River.

On November 14, 2023, the state's MMPA section 120 authorization expired.

Section 120(c)(5) of the MMPA requires that: After implementation of an approved application, the Task Force shall evaluate the effectiveness of the permitted intentional lethal taking or alternative actions implemented. If implementation was ineffective in eliminating the problem interaction, the Task Force shall recommend additional actions. If the implementation was effective, the Task Force shall so advise the Secretary, and the Secretary shall
disband the Task Force.

For more information on the Marine Mammal Protection Act Section 120 Program, visit www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-protection-act-section-120-pinniped-removal

Schedule

Day 1

10:00 Welcome and Introductions – All

10:15 Review Agenda – Robert Anderson, National Marine Fisheries Service

10:20 Marine Mammal Protection Act Section 120 Program Evaluation – Robert Anderson, NMFS

Pinniped Removal Authority

  • Overview of the MMPA section 120 removal program at Willamette Falls
  • Purpose of convening the Task Force 
  • Questions from the Task Force

10:45 History of pinniped removal program at Willamette Falls – Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

  • Pinniped removal operations and removals at Willamette Falls – Shay Valentine and Bryan Wright, ODFW
  • Benefits Analysis – Bryan Wright, ODFW
  • Questions from the Task Force

11:15 Pre and post-removal population viability analysis – Megan Sabal – ODFW

  • Questions from the Task Force

11:40 Task Force questions/comments – Task Force

11:55 Closing Comments – Robert Anderson, NMFS

12:00 Adjourn

Last updated by West Coast Regional Office on 03/04/2024