Oregon Public Broadcasting

California sea lions feasting on salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River don’t have much time left.

State wildlife managers from Oregon and Washington said Friday they’re prepared to begin removing the sea lions next week. Those wildlife managers showed off traps at Bonneville Dam that will be used to capture some of the animals.

Washington state wildlife biologist Steve Jefferies says the first eight sea lions that are caught will be exiled to aquariums around the country:

Steve Jeffries: “The intent is not eliminate sea lions from the area below Bonneville Dam. It’s to reduce the predation rate on the endangered salmon that are passing through Bonneville Dam to a level that’s below the significant level that its at right now.”

Oregon and Washington have permission to remove as many of 85 sea lions per year.

The animals can be put to death by lethal injection or gunshot.  About a half dozen animal rights protestors picketed Friday at Bonneville Dam against sea lion killing.