Federal authorities are still seeking information about the boater captured on video repeatedly aiming a fishing vessel toward large groups of sea lions in the Columbia River in April.
Michael Milstein, public affairs officer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said there was “no progress to report as of yet” in the case, which shocked onlookers because of the brazen targeting of the protected sea lions.
“We hope that the public can help by sharing the Reward poster as widely as possible,” Milstein said. The agency is offering up to $20,000 for information.
Sea lion populations have increased, leading to tensions between the protected mammals and people who fish for salmon or steelhead. There are legal, nonlethal ways to deter the animals from damaging gear or stealing a catch but only while actively fishing.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife estimated that sea lions have in the past consumed up to 44% of the Columbia River spring chinook run and 25% of the Willamette winter steelhead run each year.
NOAA Fisheries is asking anyone with information about the boat to call its law enforcement hotline at 800-853-1964 or to submit the information through its website for reporting violations.
