There was a story that was recently brought to my attention. Apparently, the officials in Oregon, think it’s ok to Slaughter Sea Lions. Many people, my self included, would beg the differ.
Apparently, there is a rare species of Salmon in the river where these Sea Lions are at. At the same time, the Fisherman are allowed to fish about 17% of the fish. While the Sea Lions consume much less, around 1.1%. You can see the drama unfolding already can’t you?
What I want to know, is if the Salmon is dwindling, or the species is rare, then why the heck are they even allowing them to fish? Why not leave them to the Sea Lions?
Yet, at the same time, the Fisherman had sent a letter to the Oregon officials stating they wanted them REMOVED? When you think of Removed, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? It doesn’t necessarily mean killed. It just means relocated. Yet, you don’t hear the Fisherman speaking up do you?
The problem is, there is another solution. Rather than take the time and effort to relocate them, they just kill them and brand them with irons. May as well be sending them to the slaughter house.
Some people just don’t get it. It’s not always about what the cost of something is. It’s about doing what’s right. It’s about looking for alternatives. Other methods. Perhaps they could even farm the Salmon to help the population out?
Rather than blame the fisherman for over fishing our seas and rivers, is it really right to accuse innocent wild life that is just trying to thrive? They’re no different than we our in that sense. We can grow plants and raise animals. Why are we even tampering with their food source that isn’t as easy to farm?
By increasing the awareness and putting pressure on the Oregon officials. We can make them find another alternative. You can contact the Governor of Oregon below.
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber:
phone: (503) 378-4582
In the meantime, I had a list of things to do today. One of those things was to write a poem. You can read it below as well, because it pertains to this. Some say that I have a way with words. That I can say so much with so little. What do you think?
Denying the Sea
The world is in denial.
Yet they’re willing to go that extra mile.
To fight for something that they love.
Only to give something else a shove.
Why can’t we all see?
That there’s another way in the Sea.
To share and love this day.
Working together is what I pray.
Written by:
Roger Hoyt
Great post, Roger. Thanks for pointing out an issue most of us would never have been aware of. I do want to point out a typo above. You said “You can’t contact the Governor” rather than “You can contact” him.
Thanks for pointing that out. Even bloggers make mistakes.
Going to fix that right now.