This letter was sent to the author of a particularly misleading news article that appeared in the Seattle Times. (See link.) The letter was also cc’d to us. It is so well informed that we are posting it here in the hope that it may help to educate other journalists who may be interested in getting the facts before publishing an article about this issue.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011585750_sealions12m.html

Hey I read your article in the Seattle Times re sea lions. I think you
really need to get a more balanced perspective. Maybe you should interview
someone from the sea lion defense group, or In Defense of Animals, or a
real biologist. Try Sharon Young, for example. Because you’ve really
perpetuated a lot of screamingly biased misinformation here. Was that
intentional? Or did you just not realize that referring to sea lions (as
opposed to fishermen) as “infamously gluttonous,” “gorging themselves on
salmon” is incredibly opinionated?

You also repeat the fisherman’s mantra: “Sea lions are cuter than salmon.”
By implication, those who oppose the trapping and killing of sea lions
must just be overly emotional and irrational, guided only by the
“cuteness” of the sea lions.

On the contrary, there may be a lot of hysteria out there, but it’s living
in the bile of the people who want the sea lions dead. (more…)

The Name Says it All

Last year around this time (you can also find it in our archives) one of our dedicated monitors posted an article about gill net fishing on the Columbia River.

http://sealiondefensebrigade.org/?p=375

The monitor posted a picture of a boat named, “Salmon Snatcher” that was taken by a cell phone while driving on the highway. The captain of the Salmon Snatcher visited our site and left many ‘colorful’ comments, these comments were met with (mostly) patient responses by our volunteers at SLDB. We can’t make this stuff up, folks…. enjoy, and please don’t just read some of the comments re-posted below, but check out the whole thread for some Columbia River insight!

Some of my favorites:

Lick my SACK! says:
January 14, 2010 at 6:38 pm (Edit)

All of you retards have SHIT for brains. What makes you guys think you are so much better than all of the fishermen, Your waisting your time with all of your facts. Who gives a fuck. I dont, You guys are saying all fishermen are bad people. Cry about it a little more you cant do anything about us fishing. Your all worthless. That eco-human is the biggest p.o.s on here. Hey buddy if you dont like the world we live in move to another fucking country. The sea lions are part of the problem with the salmon population, So stop putting it all on the fishermen.

and there’s more!… (more…)

A great day today in the gorge! Sea lion defenders shared music, food, knowledge, and fun together. We talked about the delicate ecology of which we are all a part, and connected with people who care about saving the salmon and the sea lions. We just got home, so I’m too tired to write up a full report. Instead, let me share the link from Portland Indymedia, complete with lots of pictures. http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2010/04/398568.shtml

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Tre Arrow shares some music

An Outing! Join us on the Columbia river this Saturday!

What: A sea lion party, faux fish fry, keg and educational Columbia River outing
When: Saturday, April 10th, 11:30 AM (Cool Bus will leave at noon, and return in Portland between 6 PM and 7 PM)
Where: Bus pick up at the IDA office, 1732 NE Alberta St.
RSVP: to matt@idausa.org or 503-249-9996

On Saturday, April 10th, In Defense of Animals (IDA) and Sea Lion Defense Brigade are hosting a chauffeured day of community building for the sea lion campaign on the Columbia River at the Bonneville Dam, complete with field discussions about the campaign, river ecology, salmon and sea lions with the breathtaking view of the gorge as the backdrop. The designated driver has all been arranged so those over 21 can safely share a keg of local micro brew and fire up the deep fryer for a faux fish fry feast with friends. Click this link for more details: (more…)

It was a sad day today, as the government trapped a sea lion in the darkness, and hauled him away before dawn. They had expected to do this in silence and secrecy, and went so far as to illegally keep the running lights off on their boats when they… (more…)