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

The Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force (Task Force) was established by NOAA Fisheries under MMPA Section 120 in 2020. It is charged with advising NOAA Fisheries on interactions between sea lions and salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin. The Task Force is composed of NOAA Fisheries staff, independent scientists, representatives from affected conservation and fishing communities, tribes, states, and conservation organizations. The Task Force's recommendations inform our determination to either approve or deny the eligible entities’ application.

2020 Actions and Documents

• Section 120(f) Overview and Task Force Instructions
• MMPA Section 120(f) Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force Meeting - May 2020 Agenda
• Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force - May 12-14, 2020 - Task Force Membership
• Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force - May 12-16, 2020 - Attendee List
• Federal Register notice
• Media Notice
• Robert Anderson, NMFS, Presentation
• Robert Delong, MML, Presentation
• Tom Gelatt and Brian Fadely, MML, Presentation
• Steve Jeffries, WDFW and Shea Steingass, ODFW, Presentation
• Bryan Wright, ODFW, Presentation
• Michelle Rub, NWFSC, Presentation
• Mark Sorel, NWFSC, Presentation
• Kessina Lee, WDFW, MMPA Section 120(d) Considerations, Presentation
• Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force - May 12-14, 2020 - Meeting Summary
• Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force - May 12-14, 2020 - Report and Recommendations

2019 Actions and Documents

• MMPA Section 120(f)(6)(D) Committee Recognition Letter, June 4, 2019
• MMPA Section 120(f)(2)(C) Coordination Procedures, June 4, 2019
• MMPA Section 120(f) Cover Letter, June 13, 2019
• MMPA Section 120(f) Application, June 13, 2019
• Public Comments NOAA NMFS 2019
• Federal Register notice

2018 Actions and Documents

• 2018 California sea lion SAR
• MMPA 2018 revised March 2019

2017 Actions and Documents

2017 Steller sea lion-eastern SAR

2016 Actions and Documents

• 2016 5-Year Review and Summary Middle Columbia
• 2016 5-Year Review and Summary Snake River
• 2016 5-Year Review and Summary Upper Columbia
• 2016 5-Year Review and Summary Willamette River
• 2016 5-Year Status Review Eulachon

Task Force Members

• Shaun Clements - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Kessina Lee - Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Joe Dupont - Idaho Department of Fish and Game
• Doug Hatch - Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
• Carl Scheller - Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
• Olney (JP) Patt - Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation
• Robert Kentta - Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon
• Kelly Dirksen - Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon
• Jack Yearout - Nez Perce Indian Tribe
• Paul Ward - Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
• Doug DeMaster - Former Director of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (NOAA)
• Tim Ragen - Former Executive Director of the Marine Mammal Commission
• Sharon Young - Humane Society of the United States
• Robert (Bob) Delong - NOAA/National Marine Mammal Laboratory
• Liz Hamilton - Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Association
• Charles (CT) Harry - International Fund for Animal Welfare
• William Hurley IV - International Marine Animals Trainers Association
• Traci Belting - Seattle Aquarium
• Bob Rees - Northwest Guides and Anglers Association
• Sean Tackley - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Amy Cutting - The Oregon Zoo
• Jeff Laake - The Wildlife Society

More Information

MMPA Section 120 Pinniped Removal Program: Columbia River Basin