Behavioral Analyses of \u3ci\u3eZalophus californianus\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eEumetopias jubatus\u3c/i\u3e at Bonneville Dam as Tools to Understand Salmonid Take and Inform Regulation Changes

Both Zalophus californianus and Eumetopias jubatus are species known to travel upriver into the Columbia River, reaching as far as the Bonneville Lock and Dam. Bonneville Dam works with federal agencies to hatch and protect salmonids within the Columbia River. Pinnipeds at the dam have been studied since the 1980\u27s in an effort to understand their behaviors and feeding patterns on endangered salmon species. Since 2006, the hazing of Z. californianus and E. jubatus has gone on, showing little effectiveness in lowering the sea lion\u27s consumption rates (ranging from 0.4-5.8% annually). Behavioral analyses conducted during the spring salmon run of 2019 produced no visible sightings of salmon consumption, but showed large utilization of fire arms and boat chasing to deter sea lions from the dam area. While behavioral analysis data was limited, this data in conjunction with literature suggests that the programs run by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are unsuccessful in deterring sea lions from Bonneville Dam and should be reevaluated