While how we got here is certainly worthy of discussion the immediate issue seems to be one of reducing impacts on all salmonids and particularly Chinook (for Orcas) and concurrently to improve returns on the ESA listed components of those same Chinook returns while still providing a reason for the recreational fishers to continue to support hatchery production.

The impact of pinniped predation on ESA listed salmonids (and possibly ESA listed rockfish) has been recognized for years with the most recent study reaffirming those earlier conclusions and providing some level of quantification. Unfortunately, NOAA seems unable or unwilling to initiate control measures and/or changes to the MMPA relying, instead, on various State agencies to try and change the paradigm. I consider that an abrogation of their responsibility.