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WDFW and NOAA urge data‑driven, narrowly scoped changes to allow hotspot management
Summary
State and federal officials confirmed pinniped predation is a conservation challenge and said they support seeking legislative flexibility—paired with science, funding, and narrow geographic limits—to reduce predation on ESA‑listed salmon.
Representatives from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and NOAA Fisheries described efforts to manage pinniped predation and emphasized that any legal or programmatic changes must be science‑based and carefully constrained.
Megan West of WDFW recounted Columbia River interventions that appear to have reduced predation in targeted locations and said the department is engaging the governor’s office and congressional delegation on regionally scoped amendments. NOAA assistant regional administrator Chris Yates said NOAA sees merit in amendments that provide greater flexibility and lower administrative burden for coordinated state‑tribal responses while maintaining conservation safeguards. Both agencies stressed funding and clear implementation rules would be required before any large‑scale program could proceed.
