02237nas a2200181   4500008004100000050009800041245015400139210006900293260005600362300000700418520142600425653001001851653001901861653001101880110004801891710004101939856007501980       1998                        eng d  aOSU Libraries:  Valley Docs OR G/N21.4T22:998-2, Guin QL638.S2 P561 1998, Digital Open Access00aPinniped and seabird predation: Implications for recovery of threatened stocks of salmonids in Oregon under the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds0 aPinniped and seabird predation Implications for recovery of thre  aSalem, ORbGovernor's Natural Resource Officec1998  a283 aThe Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team (IMST) was directed to evaluate the extent of predatory impacts of marine mammals and seabirds on salmonids and to recommend actions to mitigate impacts. IMST focused on the Oregon Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Action Plans because they provide the programmatic direction for the State of Oregon in the context of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds (Oregon Plan). Marine mammals and seabirds have been considered detrimental to salmon production for a long time, and extensive control programs are part of the history of salmon management. Unfortunately Oregon have not invested in enough research to accurately define the dimensions of the problem. Uncertainty regarding predators of salmonids by pinnipeds and birds is expressed in five science questions addressed in the report. IMST concludes that California sea lion, Pacific harbor seal, Caspian tern and cormorant populations along the Oregon coast have all increased in recent years, coinciding with historical lows in salmonid abundance. Predation by these species may be a factor in the lack of recoveries of some depressed salmonid stocks but there is no compelling scientific evidence that predation has been a primary cause for recent decline of salmonids. No comprehensive studies have been conducted to evaluate the importance of predation on escapement of wild stocks relative to other factors.10abirds10amarine mammals10asalmon1 aIndependent Multidisciplinary Science Team,1 aGovernor's Natural Resources Office,  uhttps://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/technical_reports/j9602070t