>My mom read in the monterey paper yesterday that it has been approved to
>begin the process of shooting seals which aggragate at the mouths of
>rivers used  by salmon. I have no info on this so I couldnt calm her
>down.  What does anyone have to say about this? if they  have a spare
>minute.  Sorry for the vagueness
>
  The only case that I know of is at Ballard Locks in Seatlle where the
locks force steelhead  to concentrate before using the fish passage and the
seals, not surprisingly, take advantage of this.  The steelhead runs there
are declining, probably due to many factors including seal predation, and
one of the local indian tribes has requested that they be allowed to harvest
some of those seals.  I think they may have gotten permission to do so, but
I'm not sure.  Others on the list may have a better answer for you.
James G. MacCracken, Ph.D.
Wildlife Biologist
Longview Fibre Co.
Timber Department
Box 667
Longview, WA 98632