MMPA Sec 120(f) Task Force Meeting

Marine Mammal Protection Act Section 120 Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force for the Columbia River to Convene Online on May 28, 2025

Meeting |

West Coast

About

Virtual-only Meeting - May 28, 2025 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Pacific Time

Call-in Number - Web Access - Agenda (PDF)

Video and Conference Call Information

Join link: https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/noaanmfs-meets/j.php?MTID=m2bdd06cdff79ea051a38366373264613
Webinar number: 2825 435 2680
Webinar password: 5032312200 (50323122 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by phone +1-415-527-5035 US Toll
Access code: 282 543 52680

Members of the public may attend and participate in the meeting. Public attendees will be in listen-only mode.

For those who plan to attend or provide public input, please join via the webinar link and call into the conference. 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 Robert Anderson at robert.c.anderson@noaa.gov if you plan to provide public input at the meeting.

Background

NOAA Fisheries announces that it is convening the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) 120(f) Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force (Task Force) to review the Eligible Entities implementation of the pinniped removal authority authorized by NOAA Fisheries under section 120(f) of the MMPA. On August 14, 2020, NOAA Fisheries authorized the Eligible Entities to lethally remove California and Steller sea lions that are having a significant negative impact on ESA-listed salmon, steelhead, and eulachon in the Columbia River basin.

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.

The purpose of this meeting is to conduct a mid-program evaluation and seek, if warranted, recommendations from the Task Force to improve the effectiveness of the removal program.

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

9:45 Task Force members and audience, please login to the webinar or call-in to the conference line, before the start of the meeting
10:00 Welcome, Introductions, and Opening Remarks – Robert Anderson, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
10:15 Review Agenda, Task Force Logistics, and Ground Rules – Robert Anderson, NMFS

10:30 MMPA §120 Overview – Robert Anderson, NMFS

MMPA §120 and §120(f)Pinniped Removal Authority
MMPA §120(f) program evaluation - March 7, 2024, summary
Purpose of convening the Task Force
Role of the Task Force (review)
Charge to the Task Force (review)
NMFS’ expectations of the Task Force

MMPA §120(f) Application

Proposed action
Public comments received on the application
Questions from the Task Force

11:05 Public Input – This is an opportunity for members of the public to present information regarding the pinniped-fishery interaction that may be of value to Task Force members. It is not a time for discussion with the Task Force.

NMFS will announce opening of public input and solicit input.
Depending upon the number of participants, NMFS may limit your time to permit as many members of the public an opportunity to provide input to the Task Force.

Note: We will move to the next agenda item at either 11:30 or when public input is finished, whichever is first.

11:30 BREAK
11:45 Task Force Deliberation - All
12:00 Task Force members recommendation on the eligible entities’ application to renew the August 14, 2020, permit for five years for intentional lethal taking of sea lions in the MMPA Section 120(f) geographic area — recommend to NMFS to either approve or deny the eligible entities’ application

12:50 Wrap Up and Next Steps – Robert Anderson, NMFS

Review schedule and process for documenting meeting results and submitting the Task Force report, recommendation, and actions to NMFS

1:00 Adjourn

Last updated by West Coast Regional Office on 05/13/2025