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Sea Lions Feasting on Columbia River Steelhead by Brian Neale KXLY, March 8, 2018

PORTLAND, Ore. - While the breaching of Snake River dams to save fish runs is being debated at the highest levels of government the ruthless reality of nature is taking its toll on steelhead, spring Chinook, sturgeon and lamprey.

A new study from the Northwest Power and Conservation Council reveals that Sea lions consumed 9 percent of an already-low steelhead run at Bonneville Dam in 2017. That's of top of a sea lions eating their fill of spring Chinook, sturgeon, and lamprey.

According to the study, from May 13 to June 2, 2017 it's estimated that 1800 adult salmonids were eaten. That's more than three time the ten year average estimated at 494 adult salmonids for the same time period.

From January 1 to June 2, 2017, it's estimated that near 5000 adult salmonids were been consumed by the sea lions.

Related Sites:
Ocean Predators by John Harrison, NW Council, 1/16/18
Final 2016 Pinniped Report: Sea Lion Salmon Take Astoria To Bonneville Dam Could Be 20 Percent Of Run by Staff, Columbia Basin Bulletin 6/17/16