Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026

This bill changes the Marine Mammal Protection Act to expand permits for killing seals and sea lions (pinnipeds) that eat salmon and other fish. It widens the existing Columbia River program from sea lions to all pinnipeds and removes the current river-mile limits so it covers the Columbia River more broadly. It creates a new permit program letting Washington State and certain western Washington tribes kill harbor seals and sea lions in other Washington rivers, Puget Sound, and coastal waters, capped at 10 percent of the annual potential biological removal level. Permits last up to 5 years, and after 5 years the Secretary must stop issuing them if lethal removal is found no longer necessary. The bill also requires annual reports, a 10-year study, and a federal program to develop technology that keeps pinnipeds out of Columbia River salmon habitat.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Michael Baumgartner Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors