[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        ENDANGERED SALMON AND FISHERIES PREDATION PREVENTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2018

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2083) to 
     amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to reduce 
     predation on endangered Columbia River salmon and other non-
     listed species, and for other purposes:

  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 2083, the 
Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act. This bill 
will help reduce sea lion predation on threatened and endangered fish 
populations.
  Salmon and steelhead are an important part of our heritage in the 
Pacific Northwest, and they are facing devastating threats. At present 
thirteen salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River, 
Willamette River, and Snake River systems are listed as threatened or 
endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Because of successful 
conservation efforts under the protection of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act, California sea lions have fully rebounded and have 
reached carrying capacity. Many of the thriving species are moving up 
the Columbia River for easy access to migrating salmon and steelhead. 
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
between 2002 and 2015 California sea lions consumed an estimated 46,000 
salmonids within a quarter mile of the Bonneville Dam. It is unlikely 
that we will see the necessary recovery of threatened and endangered 
fish populations without responding to the ongoing predation by sea 
lions in the region.
  Oregon's economic vitality relies on the health of the Pacific Ocean 
and the Columbia River. The natural resources in our region support a 
significant portion of our economy, and we are very vulnerable to 
changes to our ecosystem. Healthy salmon and steelhead runs support the 
commercial and recreational fishing industry, guiding and outdoor 
retail businesses, restaurants, and coastal communities that benefit 
from tourism. In addition to the troubling effects on the region's 
ecosystem, sea lion predation is harmful to tribal fisheries. Tribes 
have fishing rights and a deep cultural and historical connection to 
the fish populations threatened by sea lions. The health of native fish 
runs is dependent on Congressional action to protect these threatened 
species from sea lion predation.
  This bill will allow for more efficient intervention by allowing 
states and tribes to apply for permits to remove sea lions along the 
Columbia River and its tributaries. I am pleased to see changes to this 
bill in its amended form, including the removal of language that would 
undermine the National Environmental Policy Act. The revised language 
is the result of negotiations with a coalition of local stakeholders, 
tribes, and agencies in Oregon and Washington State. I appreciate the 
Ranking Member's concerns that this bill only addresses one of the many 
threats facing our salmon and steelhead populations, but it is an 
important step toward mitigating the damage to the fish population. We 
must continue to address the threat of sea lion predation and avoid 
further loss of irreplaceable species of salmon and steelhead in our 
region. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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