1950's |
California sea lion population estimated at around 10,000. |
1972 |
Marine Mammal Protection Act passed. |
1986 |
Overall California sea lion population estimated at approximately
177,000. |
1999 |
First listing of upper Columbia spring Chinook listed under the
Endangered Species Act.
Alarm raised to Congress regarding sea lion predation on Columbia
River salmon. |
2002 |
Active monitoring of sea lion activity begun at Bonneville Dam. |
2006 |
Overall California sea lion population approaches 300,000. |
9/2006 |
Washington, Oregon, and Idaho make a section 120 application to
lethally remove problem sea lions at Bonneville Dam. |
3/2007 |
Reps. Baird and Hastings introduce H.R. 1769—The Endangered
Salmon Predation Prevention Act which would allow states more control
in protecting salmon from sea lions. |
9/2007 |
The Pinniped Task Force is established to evaluate the situation
and send its recommendation to Congress. |
10/2007 |
The Pinniped Task Force votes 17-1 to recommend lethal removal
of the problem sea lions. |
1/18/08 |
NOAA Fisheries issues a draft decision recommending lethal removal. |
3/18/08 |
Final decision made by NOAA Fisheries to conduct lethal removal
of up to 85 problem sea lions below Bonneville Dam. |
3/20/08 |
Humane Society of the US files complaint in federal district court
of the District of Columbia. |
3/21/08 |
Humane Society of the US withdraws complaint. |
3/24/08 |
Humane Society of the US refiles complaint in federal district court
in Oregon. |
5/4/08 |
Six sea lions inadvertently die of heat exhaustion when the trap
doors close accidentally. The states halt their trapping effort. |
5/29/08 |
The last California Sea Lion of the season was recorded by observers
at Bonneville Dam. |
9/19/08 |
C265 returned to Bonneville Dam. He remained at Bonneville Dam for
41 of the last 49 days between then and the end of December. |
11/26/08 |
U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman categorically denied the Humane
Society’s arguments and found that NOAA’s decision to
approve the lethal removal was sound. The case is currently before
the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. |
3/9/09 |
States begin their trapping program. |
