O, I agree about predation. The problem there is that we refuse to have a holistic discussion about the whole damn food chain.

One aspect that keeps being forgotten is that pinnipeds, whales, terns, cormorants an such can't simple switch to other foods; they eat what they have evolved to eat.

We need a broader view of all the resources, and I don't see the managers going there ever.

But is seems we never will actually discuss the costs. We, at least the thinking folks, know that in the short term the only thing that will save SRKWs is the total closure of marine mixed stock fisheries that take Chinook destined for whale bellies. Put that out to the whale folks.

It will cost $X in lost economic business in AK, BC, and WA to get those fish to the whales tomorrow, next week, and next year. Are the whales worth it? If so, are you willing to subsidize the businesses that will be shuttered? Not only the fishermen but the hotels/lodges/restaurants/rental car/airlines and so on that will lose their source of income?

It seems to me that we don't discuss these costs because we really don't wish to save (whales, salmon, ourselves) but believe that there will be a miracle that will fix it all.