Killing Sea Lions Boosted Steelhead Numbers

[WB Staff]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Says Killing Sea Lions Boosted Steelhead Numbers
Efforts to eradicate predators of endangered species have a fraught recent track record in Oregon.

Imperiled Oregon steelhead runs appear to be making a comeback thanks to an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife program that kills sea lions that eat them.

The Statesman Journal first reported the announcement on the fish population's recovery.

The department says the native fish species was nearly extinct before the agency began killing sea lions. Now, over 2,400 steelhead have migrated past Willamette Falls—the highest count since 2016 and up significantly from 2017, when 822 steelhead were counted.

More info: https://www.wweek.com/news/2019/04/03/o ... d-numbers/