Are there similar pinniped predation and fisheries interaction problems on the East Coast, and what is the NMFS position on lethal removal of East Coast pinnipeds?
NMFS has not identified any fish stocks for which pinniped predation is a significant issue. Fisheries interactions also seem to be much less of an issue on the east coast. Although not well documented, pinniped predation can affect salmon aquaculture. Last year, NMFS submitted a report to the Congress on pinniped-salmon aquaculture interactions in the Gulf of Maine. That report pointed out that non-lethal methods of limiting pinniped predation had not been fully utilized. Although currently prohibited under the MMPA, the report did recommend that aquaculture operators be allowed to kill the rare pinniped that actually enters a net-pen.
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