MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT (MMPA)

As of this spring, Congress has discussed the possibility of holding hearings pursuant to the reauthorization of the MMPA, but no dates have been set. Realistically, I believe that the members of Congress have a lot on their plates and will probably again skip the acrimonious discussions that will surely accompany any reauthorization. However, I may be wrong and so stay tuned! If any hearings, especially out here on the west coast, are set, SAC will get that info out to all anglers.

MMPA Reauthorization and Exploding West Coast Marine Mammal Populations:

A Time for Sound Wildlife Management Principles

In the late spring of 2002, the North West Region of the National Marine Fisheries Service released a report stating that they had underestimated the population of California Sea Lions in the U.S. zone by perhaps 25 %. The mistake had to do with the way that the NMFS pup counts on the offshore islands were “expanded” to provide estimates of total west coast populations. Last June I was invited to a hearing called by Chairman Jim Saxton of the House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans to provide testimony on the impact of seal and sea lion populations on recreational angling. I provided the new population information and detailed some of the incidents that were taking place regularly between sea lions and anglers, and related the problem live bait boats were having with sea lions jumping into their nets and injuring and killing bait. Unfortunately a huge problem developed at the hearing between the environmental representatives and the U.S. Navy regarding the current definition of ‘harassment’, and so Congress chose to back away from reauthorization last year.

The simple fact is that populations of California sea lions and Pacific harbor seals are increasing at an alarming rate. The current populations of both species are reported to be larger than at any other time in the past, and now by the NMFS estimates, even larger than previously thought. These exploding populations are causing a number of serious problems, including endangering public health and safety, destroying business opportunities, and preventing the recovery of endangered fish populations. At some point the Congress will have to address the problems resulting from this runaway growth, and SAC continues to press for the necessary changes, through the reauthorization process.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released an official report in February 1999 titled, “Impacts of California Sea Lions and Pacific Harbor seals on Salmonids and West Coast Ecosystems”. The report explains the problems these large marine mammal populations are having on living marine resources.

Specifically, the NMFS report indicates these uncontrolled mammal populations are: 1) negatively impacting human health, safety, and property use; 2) negatively impacting recreational and commercial fishing businesses by consuming bait, depredating hooked fish, increasing the rate of mortality on fish populations, destroying fishing gear, and ruining the charter fishing experience; and 3) negatively impacting several West Coast threatened and endangered populations of salmon and steelhead trout.

The NMFS report contains sound recommendations, which should be actively supported by Congress. These include: (1) implementation of site-specific management in cases where mammals are preying on depleted salmonid populations; and (2) removal of impediments and agency support for testing nonlethal deterrent technologies.

Members of Congress should recognize the serious problems stemming from exploding West Coast marine mammal populations are real and the impacts significant. The 2003 MMPA reauthorization process, if it occurs, provides an excellent opportunity to take the steps necessary to protect the health and safety of U.S. citizens, secure the viability of coastal businesses, and protect endangered fish species by managing marine mammal populations using sound wildlife management principles.

ROBUST SPECIES TARGET LIST CALIFORNIA

Senate

Barbara Boxer
112 Hart SOB 2nd & C Sts., NE
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3553 202-228-1338/f
E-mail: senator@boxer.senate.gov

Dianne Feinstein
331 Hart SOB 2nd & C Sts., NE
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3841 202-228-3954/f
E-mail: senator@feinstein.senate.gov

House of Representatives

Randy Cunningham
2350 Rayburn HOB Independence Ave. & S. Capitol St. SW
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-5452 202-225-2558/f E-mail: www.house.gov\cunningham

Sam Farr
1221 Longworth HOB Independence & New Jersey Aves., SE
Washington. DC 20515
202-225-2861 202-225-679l/f E-mafl: samfarr@mail.house.gov

Gary G. Miller
1037 Longworth HOB Independence & New Jersey Aves., SW
Washington. DC 20515
202-225-3201 202-226-6962/f
E-mail: publicca4l@ mail.house.gov

Richard Pombo
2411 Rayburn HOB Independence Ave. & S. Capitol St. SW
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-1947 202-226-0861/f
E-mail: rpombo@,mail.house.gov

Bob Filner
2428 Rayburn HOB Independence Ave. & S. Capitol St., SW
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-8045 202-225-9073/f
E-mail: talktobobfilner@mail.house.gov

Elton Gallegly
2427 Rayburn HOB Independence Ave. & S. Capitol St., SW
Washington. DC 20515
202-225-5811 202-225-1 100/f
E-mail: www.house.gov\gallegly

Brad Sherman
1030 Longworth HOB Independence & New Jersey Aves., SW
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-5911 202-225-5879/f
E-mail: brad.sherman@mail.house.gov

Mike Thompson
119 Cannon HOB I st St. & Independence Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-3311 202-225-4335/f
E-mail: m.thompson@mail.house.gov

Lynn Woolsey
2263 Rayburn HOB Independence Ave. & S. Capitol ST. SW
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-5161 202-225-5163/F
E-mail: lynn.woolsey@mail.house.gov

Darrell Issa
211 Cannon HOB I St. & Independence Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-3906 fax (202) 225-3303
website: www.isssa.house.gov

David Dreier
237 Cannon HOB I St. & Independence Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2305 fax (202) 225-7018
website: www.dreier.house.gov

Michael M. Honda
1713 Longworth HOB Independence & New Jersey Aves., SW
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2631 fax (202) 225-2699
Email: mike.Honda@mail.house.gov

Christopher Cox
2402 Rayburn HOB Independence Ave. & S. Capitol St., SW
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5611 fax (202) 225-9177
Email: Christopher.cox@mail.house.gov