Study Measures Impacts Of Harbor Seal Predation On Migrating Steelhead Smolts In Marine Waters - Columbia Basin Bulletin

[Derby]

Subject: Study Measures Impacts Of Harbor Seal Predation On Migrating Steelhead Smolts In Marine Waters - Columbia Basin Bulletin


https://columbiabasinbulletin.org/s...-migrating-steelhead-smolts-in-marine-waters/

 

[searun]

Yet another study confirming the effects of harbour seal predation on survival and recovery of salmonid species that have larger sized out-migrating smolts. Chinook, Coho and Steelhead.

Common finding in the research has been the cumulative impact of harbour seal predation (which on average is around 2% of "individual" seal diets) actually is compounded by the large number of seals. Other way to describe this is while individual seal diet composition is only 2% - there is a significant compounding effect related to the massive numbers of harbour seals. Additionally, methodology employed to produce estimates of predation using seal scat analysis to find the Otolith bones of salmonids will under-estimate the actual numbers of smolts consumed because there is a loss of Otolith bones detectible due to the size of these bones and digestive process. It is likely the diet composition is much higher than the models and methodology has so far produced.

Every one of the ENGO's are chasing the shinny penny of recreational fisheries touting there would be a massive increase in Chinook if these fisheries were suspended - the reality is they are conveniently looking the other way ignoring the real and significant root causes such as Harbour Seal predation in near shore environments where out-migrating smolts are highly susceptible to predation effects.

How many more studies will it take for people to wake up to the science?

Another useful study -

Estimates of Chinook salmon consumption in Washington ...​

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (.gov)
https://repository.library.noaa.gov › view › noaa


PDF

by B Chasco · 2017 · Cited by 114 — Estimates of Chinook salmon consumption in Washington. State inland waters by four marine mammal predators from. 1970 to 2015.
Between 1970 and 2015, we estimate that the annual biomass of Chinook salmon consumed by pinnipeds has increased from 68 to 625 metric tons. Converting juvenile Chinook salmon into adult equivalents, we found that by 2015, pinnipeds consumed double that of resident killer whales and six times greater than the combined commercial and recreational catches.

 

[Whole in the Water]

We obviously need to do some seal culls in BC, especially since the DFO mismanagement and overfishing of herring stocks have forced seals to switch from their traditional primary food source (i.e. herring) and lead to new generations of seals that have learned to eat more salmon, more spawning salmon and more salmon smolts!

However, getting the general public to agree to any seal culls would be very hard (e.g. the ENGO's would freak out!). Only the FN's would have a chance IMO at any seal culls, but even they (around the Campbell River area) have a hard time at it as there seems to be little market for seal meat and seal fur/skin products. This problem is a hard one to improve IMO.

 

[terrin]

We obviously need to do some seal culls in BC, especially since the DFO mismanagement and overfishing of herring stocks have forced seals to switch from their traditional primary food source (i.e. herring) and lead to new generations of seals that have learned to eat more salmon, more spawning salmon and more salmon smolts!

However, getting the general public to agree to any seal culls would be very hard (e.g. the ENGO's would freak out!). Only the FN's would have a chance IMO at any seal culls, but even they (around the Campbell River area) have a hard time at it as there seems to be little market for seal meat and seal fur/skin products. This problem is a hard one to improve IMO.

Might be a good start to leave the overfished herring stocks alone until this problem is addressed in the mean time.

 

[Salmon Seeker]

fishing the lower vedder this fall and there are a dozen+ seals in there. IMO these should be removed

 

[agentaqua]

The exploding population of seals are having a large impact on many species of salmon, many life history stages, and other fish species.

 

[trophywife]

We obviously need to do some seal culls in BC, especially since the DFO mismanagement and overfishing of herring stocks have forced seals to switch from their traditional primary food source (i.e. herring) and lead to new generations of seals that have learned to eat more salmon, more spawning salmon and more salmon smolts!

However, getting the general public to agree to any seal culls would be very hard (e.g. the ENGO's would freak out!). Only the FN's would have a chance IMO at any seal culls, but even they (around the Campbell River area) have a hard time at it as there seems to be little market for seal meat and seal fur/skin products. This problem is a hard one to improve IMO.

i agree, just a suggestion though, use the word harvest instead of cull. same goal just a different word. sounds more ethical. lol

 

[agentaqua]

i agree, just a suggestion though, use the word harvest instead of cull. same goal just a different word. sounds more ethical. lol

Yep! The only ones using the word "cull" are some of the self-anointed ENGO spokespersons trying to elicit emotional responses & $$$$ from their prey/supporters like gullible old cat ladies in the UK, & young and inexperienced urbanites in Toronto & Vancouver. It's called marketing.

 

[Fishing?]

We obviously need to do some seal culls in BC, especially since the DFO mismanagement and overfishing of herring stocks have forced seals to switch from their traditional primary food source (i.e. herring) and lead to new generations of seals that have learned to eat more salmon, more spawning salmon and more salmon smolts!

Recently FF's were discovered to have killed maybe 800,000 herring smolts while trying to wash off sea lice into the surrounding uncontained waters. 800,000 that went through the "washers".
The rest of the lice were just flushed into the ocean to search for more fish to attach to. But those farms had relocated from Broughton to the west coast of the Island.

I did notice that there were some Sockeye salmon pics on the forum with huge numbers of lice on them and there are some runs that frequent those FF areas.