NMFS Suspends Lethal Removal of Sea Lions in Oregon and Washington
The National Marine Fisheries Service (“NMFS”) has suspended its letter of authorization (“LOA”) under Section 120 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (“MMPA”) allowing the States of Oregon and Washington to lethally remove California sea lions caught eating endangered salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River. NMFS cited pending litigation in Federal court and limited sea lion activity for its decision, and invited the states to renew their request for an LOA in 2012. NMFS’ decision comes in the wake of an agreement (see earlier post) between wildlife advocates and the two states to temporarily suspend lethal sea lion removal as well as legislation introduced in the House of Representatives that would permit the states to remove sea lions without complying with the MMPA (see prior post regarding H.R. 946).
