Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force, Willamette Falls

The Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force (Task Force) for Willamette Falls was established by NOAA Fisheries under MMPA Section 120 in 2018. The purpose of the Task Force for Willamette Falls is to evaluate the state of Oregon’s October 6, 2017, application, and to provide NOAA Fisheries with a recommendation to either approve or deny the state of Oregon’s application requesting authorization under Section 120 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act to lethally remove predatory California sea lions in the vicinity of Willamette Falls to minimize pinniped predation on threatened and endangered salmonids in the Willamette River. The Task Force is composed of NOAA Fisheries staff, independent scientists, representatives from affected conservation and fishing communities, tribes, states, and others. 

August 20-22, 2018 Task Force Meeting, Portland, OR

Pre-meeting materials

Agenda (PDF, 5 pages)

Sec 120 Overview and Task Force Instructions (PDF, 9 pages)

Willamette Task Force Members Affiliations (PDF, 1 page)

2014 Willamette Falls Seal Lion Report (PDF, 28 pages)

2015 Willamette Falls Seal Lion Report (PDF, 27 pages)

2016 Willamette Falls Seal Lion Report (PDF, 33 pages)

2017 Willamette Falls Seal Lion Report (PDF, 34 pages)

Willamette Falls Fishway Counts, 1946-2017 (PDF, 1 page)

Upper Willamette River Conservation & Recovery Plan (PDF, 722 pages)

State of Oregon Sec 120 Application (with Steelhead PVA) (PDF, 56 pages)

State of Oregon Sec 120 Application cover letter (PDF, 4 pages)

State of Oregon Sec 120 Application Attachment 1 (PDF, 1 page)

Spring Chinook Status Assessment (PVA) (PDF, 18 pages)

Population Growth & Status of California Sea Lions (PDF, 13 pages)

Marine Mammal Protection Act

Federal Register Notice: Request for comments on State of Oregon's application for pinniped removal authority (82 FR 52038; November 9, 2017)

BILLS 115hr2083rfs 6.27, 2018 (PDF, 8 pages)

BILLS 115s3119is (PDF, 8 pages)

2018 Monthly sheet as of July 31, 2018 (PDF, 8 pages)

2016 5-Year Review & Summary of Upper Willamette River Steelhead & Chinook Salmon (PDF, 71 pages)

Meeting results

Willamette Falls Final Report, October 2018 (PDF, 13 pages)

Appendix A Willamette Falls Task Force Membership (PDF, 1 page)

Appendix B Willamette Falls Agenda (PDF, 5 pages)

Appendix B Willamette Falls Overview and Task Force Instructions (PDF, 9 pages)

Appendix B Willamette Falls Summary 10-12-2018 (PDF, 37 pages)

Appendix C Tim Ragen Summary (PDF, 3 pages)

Appendix D Willamette Falls Presentation part 1 (PDF, 26 pages)

Appendix D Willamette Falls Presentation part 2 (PDF, 23 pages)

Appendix D Willamette Falls Presentation part 3 (PDF, 73 pages)

Appendix D Willamette Falls Presentation part 4 (PDF, 80 pages)

Appendix E List of Attendees (PDF, 1 page)

Appendix F Willamette Falls Federal Register Notice

Appendix F Willamette Falls Media Notice (PDF, 1 page)

More Information

MMPA Section 120 Pinniped Removal Program: Columbia River and Willamette River