Phoenix -
AS you know the issue is the Marine mammal protection act of 1972; see -
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/laws/mmpa.pdfThis prohibits the "take" of any marine mammals excpet for specific exceptions. As the experiences at Ballard and the Columbia getting the OK for that take is difficult and reguires some specific information on the problem. In reading the rockfish report it is clear that it has been relatively recently (I believe the diet study was produced in 2007) that the potential of significant impacts from seal predation is an issue (at least in the San Juans).
Hopefully the input from this DEIS process will help move the State forward in exploring this option. That said I would not count on much relieve on that front. Establishing a target of removing 1000s seals will be a huge emotional issue for most of the public and will be a very difficult sell. I sure that you remember the media attention that the "seal watchers" got late this summer/fall in protecting the pups that were hauling up on the beaches and boat launches in central sound.
BTW -
There is little question that the major driver in the decline of Puget Sound rockfish was the over fishing that occurred during the 1970s and 1980s. I'm not sure that is a lot of benefit from debating the role of other factors in that decline. I think it will be much more productivie in focusing on what currently is limiting the status of the various rockfish and what strategies are best suited to assure a reasonable expectation of successfully rebuilding those populations.
Tight lines
Curt
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