SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SSJM 8005

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 23, 1993

Brief Description:  Requesting the federal government to allow the state of Washington to permanently remove certain predatory seals and sea lions.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Oke, Owen, Hargrove, Amondson, Erwin, Haugen, Snyder, Hochstatter, Deccio, M. Rasmussen and Roach)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Joint Memorial No. 8005 be substituted therefor, and the substitute joint memorial do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; Hargrove, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Erwin, Franklin, Haugen, Oke, L. Smith, Snyder, and Spanel.

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Hearing Dates: February 3, 1993; February 10, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Harbor seals and sea lion populations have expanded in recent years while anadromous fish populations have declined.  Harbor seals and sea lions prey on anadromous fish, especially in situations where anadromous fish are made vulnerable to predation because of their migratory nature when they are concentrated at the mouth of rivers.

One of the chief proponents of lethal removal of predatory seals and sea lions was the late Senator A.L. "Slim" Rasmussen.

SUMMARY:

The President and Congress are requested to recognize the wisdom of the late Senator A.L. "Slim" Rasmussen and allow for the lethal removal of predatory seals and sea lions in order to improve the anadromous fish runs.  References are made to needed changes in the Marine Mammal Protection Act and to the need for balanced marine mammal populations.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

There needs to be a control program for predatory sea lions and seals.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

Seals and sea lions are not the main reason that fish runs are depleted.

TESTIFIED:  Bruce Crawford, Department of Wildlife (pro); Duane Rawlings (con)