California sea lions, apex predators, are posing an issue for salmon and steelhead trout populations in the Pacific Northwest. (Janet Jensen/Tacoma News Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
The California sea lion population has boomed, thanks to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972. It's now posing a threat to already endangered native fish species in Washington State.
Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife has deemed sea lions a "serious threat" to Columbia River salmon and steelhead trout.
Both types of fish are key to the state's culture, economy and natural ecosystems.
"Salmon are a huge deal in Washington State. We have extensive salmon-bearing rivers that have historical cultural significance to our Native American tribes, a lot of interest and economic activity with sports fishermen, and our rivers are also the site of really important hydroelectric dams," Baumgartner told Fox News Digital.
ROGAN BLAMES LIBERAL POLICIES FOR ALLOWING 'MONSTERS' TO RUN AMOK, EAT HOUSE PETS
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., walks up the House steps for the final votes in the Capitol before Congress' October recess, Sept. 25, 2024. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
A subcommittee panel on the House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing earlier this month on sea lion predation in the Pacific Northwest. Both Baumgartner and Gluesenkamp Perez participated.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
"Save more salmon, shoot more sea lions," Baumgartner posted on X days after the hearing.
Gluesenkamp Perez compared the size of the Steller sea lion, another species threatening fish in the area, to a Toyota Corolla during the hearing.
"Southwest Washington has a serious predatory pinniped problem — tens of thousands of massive invasive sea lions are venturing further and further up the Columbia River and its tributaries to gorge on our local salmon. I'm pushing to explore more effective lethal removal options," she posted on X.
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/apex-predator-threatening-northwest-salmon-sparks-rare-bipartisan-push-kill-more