During the PSRRP hearings the WDFW "experts" were asked to quantify the numbers of the three ESA listed rockfish species consumed annually by harbor seals (leaving out California sea lions and Stellar sea lions). They didn't have any information although they were quick to suggest that the rockfish DNA in the seal scat was likely of the Puget Sound rockfish species due to its high population numbers.

My take was that they simply didn't want seals to be perceived as a significant factor in rockfish recovery because then they would have the dilemma of how to address that factor in a recovery plan. In short, the "Hear, See and Speak No Evil" approach.

Well, maybe the listing of P.S. Chinook and steelhead and this resulting study will shed some light on the impact of predators and, furthermore, be of some use when NOAA/NMFS begins its expected effort to develop a P.S. Rockfish plan.