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Resident urges council to oppose bills that would expand lethal removal of seals and sea lions
Summary
Joe Yarken asked the council to oppose state memorials and bills that would weaken federal protections for marine mammals and urged community measures for habitat and water-quality restoration instead of culling; the motion was seconded and will be discussed further next month.
Joe Yarken, a regular open‑water swimmer, introduced a motion asking the council to oppose Washington memorials and bills that he said would ease restrictions on lethal removal of pinnipeds and seabirds. Yarken argued the scientific evidence does not support large‑scale culling as a means to restore endangered Chinook salmon and described complementary restorative actions—water clarity, shellfish and eelgrass restoration—that the community could support instead.
Yarken read background and cited historical protections, noting the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and warning that proposed wording changes could reduce protections; he asked the council to go on record opposing the state memoranda (HJM 4004, SJM references) and to promote non‑lethal restoration work. The motion was seconded and members discussed procedural timing; a full vote or extended debate was deferred to the next meeting so members could review posted language.
