I've been following the story out west of the Columbia River and how the salmon population is collapsing due to over-fishing. My boyfriend being an avid (to say the least) fisherman here in NJ, this story has a particular interest to me.
In a nutshell, the salmon population is collapsing and the fishermen (who obviously don't want restrictions on their fishing time) are blaming it on sea lions who feed off the salmon as they swim upriver to spawn. These sea lions, however, have very little impact on the "take" - I read somewhere that it was under 10%... So something else is causing this collapse - whether its over-fishing or climate change or some other factor. But the amount of salmon the sea lions are taking are not enough to cause the collapse.
Originally, the plan was to remove the sea lions - lethally if necessary. However, the Humane Society is challenging the use of lethal force, and until a judge rules on its use, the sea lions are being trapped with the intent to relocate them.
Well, over the weekend, SIX of these federally protected animals were found shot to death IN traps on the river. Some coward shot them as they lay helpless in a trap that was intended to save their life, not make them an easy target for some looser with a gun. What is wrong with these people?? I hope the gunman gets what he (or she...or they?) deserve! People who are so pathetic don't deserve to be alive in my opinion....
Pathetic.
(Note: my boyfriend and I have discussed the collapse of the salmon population in the Columbia River, and he believes in restrictions as opposed to over fishing until there is a crisis and then no one can fish.... Moderation people! That includes NOT killing helpless animals in traps!)
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