In 1997, concerns over pinniped-fisheries interactions came to a head on the west coast of the United States when the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) drafted highly controversial recommendations to Congress that California sea lions and Pacific harbor seals be killed by fishermen and government officials under certain conditions. Public comment was provided on these recommendations and a final version of the proposal was published in early 1999.

Primary among The HSUS's concerns is that the Draft Report to Congress makes recommendations for addressing the impacts of pinnipeds on salmonids and ecosystems when the extent or nature of these impacts has not even been remotely established.

Read a PDF version of the NMFS recommendations and the response submitted by The HSUS.

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