Salmon munching sea lions at Bonneville Dam shifting to different species, new problems

By: Thomas Boyd
The Oregonian

New data suggest that while fewer California sea lions are showing up at Bonneville Dam and eating fewer spring salmon than just a few years ago, the number of Steller sea lions could be increasing, and along with them, the volume of salmon they eat.

Data also show over the last several years that sea lions — mostly Stellers — are increasingly showing up in the fall to prey on that fish run.

Experts say these two factors mean there’s a chance the sea lion removal program, which includes trapping and killing animals, could be expanded to new species and seasons. Read more