Port of Gold Beach – Pete Dale (541) 247-6269
Curry Sportfishing Association – Mark Lottis (541) 247-2733
NOAA Fisheries – Garth Griffin (503) 231-2005
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife – Todd Confer (541) 247-7605

GOLD BEACH – Officials today announced a plan to use non-lethal methods to control nuisance seals and sea lions on the Rogue River estuary beginning July 1.

The plan was created by the Curry Sportfishing Association (CSA) and Port of Gold Beach (Port) after numerous complaints from Gold Beach residents and visitors experiencing damage to their local salmon fishery and eonomy due to the nuisance mammals.

“Seals and sea lions are actively taking anglers’ catches, damaging their gear, and causing property damage to boats, docks and marinas,” said Mark Lottis of CSA. “The community of Gold Beach has seen a steady increase over the last few years in the number of nuisance seals and sea lions.”

NOAA Fisheries and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) provided plan guidance and some funding for the plan’s implementation and will closely monitor and evaluate control efforts.

The plan calls for controlling nuisance California sea lions, Eastern stock of Steller sea lions and Pacific harbor seals in the estuary by using three methods: modifying moorage and dock structures to eliminate resting areas, reducing a food source by ending the practice of dumping fish carcasses into the estuary, and using non-lethal hazing methods such as high pressure water hoses and wildlife control firecrackers to displace the mammals.

All seals and sea lions are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Eastern stock of Steller sea lions is listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The plan was crafted in alignment with federal regulations and balances controlling these nuisance mammals with maintaining a viable population. Under the laws, the Port has authority to use non-lethal methods to manage nuisance seals and sea lions.

“Several fishing guides reported that clients lost nearly half of their catch during the 2005 summer fishery and many small local businesses dependent on the salmon fishery are at risk,” said Pete Dale, Port General Manager “We’ve heard reports of tourists not coming to fish Gold Beach anymore because their gear is being damaged and catch stolen by the nuisance mammals.”

A healthy population of California sea lions, Steller sea lions and Pacific harbor seals exist year-round in the Rogue River estuary, with California sea lions returning to breeding grounds in southern California from late June through early August.

By law anglers can only use non-lethal deterrents on California sea lions and Pacific seals only while actively fishing with gear in the water. Anglers must be able to differentiate between seal and sea lion species and should consult the NOAA web site at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mammals/Seals-and-Sea-Lions/Deterring-Pinnipeds.cfm