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New column Part 1: Shoot the messenger, not the sea lions

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 11:39 PM PDT

By Cal FitzSimmons
Daily News Editor

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A strange and disturbing thing happened May 4.

At 8:07 p.m. that Sunday a story from The Associated Press was posted on this Web site with the headline “Protected sea lions found shot at Columbia River traps.”

The story was disturbing on many levels but I’ll stick with two. First, it was factually challenged, meaning it was incredibly screwed up. The story said six sea lions were apparently shot in open cages at Bonneville Dam by somebody on the Washington state side of the river.

Not to worry, though. At 9:45 Monday morning we posted another AP story to clear up any confusion. That story dropped the “apparently” from shot and said the traps were actually closed. It stuck with the idea someone from the Washington side of the river did the deed.

Well, maybe it didn’t clear up all the confusion because at 7:02 that evening we posted another AP story that said the killers likely arrived by boat. That story had lots of new details, like the shooters navigated tricky waters, knew how to lower the trap doors and used high-powered rifles to shoot the sea lions, “which would have tried to bolt at the first gunshot,” the story said. It also dropped in this little nugget: “Veterinarians examining the sea lions Monday were unable to find bullets.”

Tuesday at 5:26 p.m., another story was posted that stuck with the idea the sea lions were shot with a high-powered rifle. It speculated that angry fishermen were the suspects and said “a preliminary examination has yet to find any bullets or shells that might yield clues to who fired the shots.”

On Wednesday at 2:50 p.m., AP tried again. This story said the sea lions actually hadn’t been shot at all. That story took great pains to blame “federal officials” for the previous bungled stories.

Thursday at 3:29 p.m., yet another AP story said officials doubted the sea lions were poisoned. Which doesn’t leave a lot of options when it comes to humans killing them, unless you’d like us to write a story speculating that someone climbed into the cage with an ice pick and coldly dispatched the six sea lions.

I won’t go into a defense of my profession by saying our reporting is sometimes only as good as the information we are provided from the people we trust. I won’t point out that we’re committed to the truth, even if we don’t always get it right the first time. I also won’t talk about how the Internet has forced news into the public eye much faster, sometimes leading to stories that are lacking what Stephen Colbert calls “truthiness.”

I say I won’t talk about all those things, but I just did. That’s a little device that gets something said while claiming you are above saying it. Another example is “it goes without saying …” Have you ever heard those words without immediately hearing what supposedly went without saying?

So, it goes without saying that salmon and sea lions are a “hot-button” issue, at least in our area. Abortion, guns, religion, gay rights and illegal immigrants are other hall of fame hot-buttons.

But those ol’ hot-button issues entered a new realm when newspaper Web sites gave readers the ability to immediately comment on stories. Now, it’s a free-for-all of muck, anger, resentment and, occasionally, intelligent discussion. (I said intelligent discussion, not intelligent design, so don’t get started.)

That sea lion story was like posting a story that said “An avowed atheist held a semiautomatic pistol with hallow-point bullets to his lesbian daughter’s head and drove her to an abortion clinic operated by illegal immigrants Tuesday, after stopping briefly to spit on the American flag.”

At the bottom of which you would see these words: “Have something to say about this story?”

How could you help yourselves?

That brings us to my second disturbing thing about this so-called story. There were a troubling number of people here who reacted with glee to the idea someone had shot six caged sea lions.

Tomorrow in Part 2, I’ll discuss that.

Click here for Part 2 of this column.

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Oops Cally Did it Again... wrote on May 14, 2008 8:18 AM:

" Thanks for clearing that muddled mess up for me. I rolled my eyes at the misinformation that was being published. Reminded me of when my kids were little, were caught doing something, and would make up fancy schmancy stories to cover their rears. And when holes were discovered in their attempted excuses, they would continue right on with a new-and-improved version. As for the deaths of the sea lions...we (mi familia) were saddened. We're the sort of folk who pay money to go on boat tours up in the San Juans to see sea lions up close. When wildlife tangles with men, it's never a happy ending... "

Rocket wrote on May 14, 2008 8:21 AM:

" The only problem with the sea lion deaths was that it was only 6. What gripes me is how big an issue the media made of it when they thought it was the act of a vengeful fisherman. Now that they know that I (or someone) didn't gun them down in trapped cages, the issue is dropped. Nobody really gives a darn about the animals, they just want the sensationalism that comes with someone being blamed. And yes, I react with glee to getting rid of the sea lions. "

Ophelia Quotfozzle wrote on May 14, 2008 8:43 AM:

" I'm confused. The "avowed athiest" had a gun? As described, I surmise he must be a democrat. Democrats don't like guns, correct? I am pleading for assistance to understand here, as I can't continue with the concept as presented until I can comprehend this portion. Thank you Mr. FitzSimmons. In other words, many thanks for properly capturing the frightful and inappropriate emotions that are unchecked today. You made your point quite well. "

Jackal wrote on May 14, 2008 9:14 AM:

" Is the lesbian daughter alright? Did somebody stop them before they got to the clinic? You should really follow up these stories, Cal! (In all seriousness, great article. I was wondering why I kept hearing different versions from people, they must have read different issues of the paper.) "

Great Cal but lets go a bit farther... wrote on May 14, 2008 9:18 AM:

" TDN is not alone in this, but I'll say it anyway. My impression is that the suspected shooting was page one, above-the-fold news. The discovery that the deaths were caused by some other, undetermined reason, was buried somewhere on page six near the 'send us pictures of your pets' piece. I may be exaggerating (the whole story slid past me with a 'tsk, tsk') but the media bears a responsibility to correct itself in equal measure to its original "Breaking!! News!!" In my opinion. "

Gleeful Reaction wrote on May 14, 2008 10:20 AM:

" Troubling number of people, Cal? What would your solution be? Have you ever spent any time at all watching the salmon and steelhead trying to go up the Columbia River to spawn at the Bonneville Dam? Have you spent any real time observing those poor innocent SEA LIONS (note, they are not called "river lions") biting the abdomen out of every fish that they can grab, then tossing the rest of the fish away? Have you seen the hundreds of salmon and steelhead that are wasted by these innocent sea lions every day at the Bonneville Dam alone? Troubling? That would be troubling if you knew the facts first hand and still wondered why so many react with glee when learning that a half dozen of those innocent sea lions somehow died in traps. Perhaps we should supply you, Cal, with a good jet boat, a high powered sniper rifle, and plenty of ammunition, then put you in a position where you could have the choice to legally kill either the sea lions, or those on shore who want the sea lions gone. What would your choice be, Cal? "

pangborn wrote on May 14, 2008 10:34 AM:

" ..... and yet The Daily News posted all those unchecked AP articles...

Factivity? "

x willow grover wrote on May 14, 2008 10:43 AM:

" has anyone asked the simple question,why are the seals up river so far.IT IS BECAUSE THIER FOOD HAS BEEN CAUGHT BY THE BOTTOM DRAGGERS,I am not talking salmon as thier food source,try smelt,pogies[a small fish that we caught casting clam neck trimings from the beach].the ocean floor has been swept clean,by this destruction called bottom trawling,there is no place for small fish to have a chance to hide and survive,so the seals chase thier food into a more convined area,then they have friends,come boys, the diner is called the dam.seals live in the river system year-round so for the sake of saving the fish send the seals to ballard locks,I think there is one of the endangered steelhead left,but well in the hundreds of thousands of seala left make a choice seals over the dam or FISH get with it before its to TO LATE.!!!! "

x willow grover wrote on May 14, 2008 10:55 AM:

" seals and sea lions there is a cifference its simple,seals are small while a sea lion can get to be 1500 lbs ,plus.so make no mistake to many seals/sea lions,fish ducks,cormorants[not clessed as a duck]can swim underwater as fast as they can fly and eat the smolt that rest in eddies all along the river SHOOT THRM ALL GIVE THE FISH A BREAK "

gimpy wrote on May 14, 2008 11:18 AM:

" Well said, Cal. That old saw "You know what happens when you assume?" fits here. A lot of people jumped to conclusions and unfortunately, those conclusions were printed. I'm a firm believer that the Marine Mammal Protection Act needs revision to allow biologists to acutally manage problem animals, but I was disturbed by the perception that this was done by people acting outside the law. "

Gleeful is an... wrote on May 14, 2008 11:43 AM:

" Oh my God, shame on those sea lions for eating (gasp!) salmon! What were they thinking? Someone should tell them that their mother's misguided them and taught them to survive on the wrong diet. It's comical to hear people get angry because a wild animal is doing what it must do to survive. It's hilarious to see people get red in the face because "those poor salmon don't stand a chance," and "those big bad evil sea lions are taking food from us, the superior species." Give me a break. With your back woods logic, we humans should slaughter every single species that feeds on another. Remember...we're the ones invading their habitat. YOUR habitat is McDonald's and WinCo. Go there, buy a meal, and leave the sea lions to theirs "

To Gleeful wrote on May 14, 2008 11:49 AM:

" To Gleeful who pointed out the critters aren't called "River Lions." What an idiotic remark. Because a wild animal doesn't obey the rules that define the name HUMANS gave it, it's a reason to kill them? How funny can you get? When a salmon-eating animal (sea lions, seals, brown bears, etc) eats only the middle of the fish, it's really not because they are gluttonous and wasteful pigs. The belly is where most of the calories and nutrients are...if anything we could say, "Wow, those animals are smart." Sorry to burst your bubble, but the sea lions in question aren't intentionally trying to piss you off. They're just being sea lions. Get over it. "

And what a hot button wrote on May 14, 2008 12:00 PM:

" Why do we assume all fishermen, commercial and hobby are criminals and would shoot these sea lions. I think anyone who really understands tht they are nothing more than big rapacious rats would react positively to reading any of them had been shot. Go here to get some info. These "poor" animals are not endangered, but salmon are!http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/SeaLion/fact_sheet.asp "

Oh the wounded fishermen wrote on May 14, 2008 1:00 PM:

" When we all thought someone shot them, plenty of fishermen were applauding the action on these blogs. Some even said they wish they'd done it. On another note, Oregon heroin deaths are up. Were these sea lions Nirvana fans perhaps? "

To Hot Button wrote on May 14, 2008 1:04 PM:

" Thanks for providing information on the California Sea Lion, which is not listed as endangered. You left out the information on the Steller Sea Lion, though. Weird. Or intentional? Steller sea lions ARE listed as a threatened species, and Stellers were part of the group that died in the cages. So you were only half correct in your statement that these animals aren't endangered. You're also living in a fantasy land if you think sea lions are responsible for the decline of salmon numbers. We can thank ourselves for that one. "

happymom wrote on May 14, 2008 2:34 PM:

" now its being reported the likely died from heat exhaustion....whats up with that? "

maybe wrote on May 14, 2008 2:47 PM:

" To those that log watersheds and build developments, let their cattle graze down to the water, and cut down the riparian zone so they can see the river in all its beauty from their dining room table; Why don't you not fish? It would help make up for the damage you have done to the runs. The next time you see one of your cows #$%^&%$ in the middle of a stream think twice about your right to gripe about a native species that was here eating fish before you. "

bio wrote on May 14, 2008 2:50 PM:

" Sounds like some people need to put the fishing pole down and pick up a book once in awhile. "

x willow grover wrote on May 14, 2008 3:18 PM:

" how long were these animals kept in cages,I have no clue,stress, were they separated or together,caged animals can and do die from stress/fear more so a seal/sea lion can freak out if in same cage and attack each other,just animals.going where they can eat.Salmon seasons[commercial,trollers,gillnetters]have been closed from mexico to canada.so lets also do something diferrent close the river to all user groups for four years,sports included,if that was to happen all of the sport fishing license fees that go in the general fund and not for fish enhancement,only punch cards go for fish.The state would fold so they will lwt you go to bouy 10 and catch the silvers and chinook that go to youngs bay,by the way the columbia river gillnetters hatched those fish for you,no thanks needed once again problem solver for the states economy and you fellas go catch as many as you can free of charge. "

a fisherman wrote on May 14, 2008 4:08 PM:

" The point most of the posters are missing ,is that salmon support alot of jobs and business, and mutibillon dollars are spent on fishing and fixing the the dams. Now we have seals that can ruin the fishery entirely, if left alone. That is what it is all about.
People are tired of seal huggers, tree huggers, animals rights goof balls,so shooting these seals is just the tip of the frustration ice berg. More crap willhit the fan , most assured. "

dm wrote on May 14, 2008 5:01 PM:

" the problem lies with commercial fishermen & the indians with all their nets which haul in far to many fish at a time, thus, desimating fish populations, seals do what seals do, eat fish, more power to em, go seals "

RHS Alum wrote on May 14, 2008 5:33 PM:

" My only problem with the sea lions are the ones in Astoria and the like, where they have literally taken over entire docks and try to attack anyone trying to get to their boats.. Those are the sea lions I have a problem with. "

sam fowler wrote on May 14, 2008 5:45 PM:

" to dm; another sport fisherman who thinks that 150,000 sportfishermen dont both the salmon run year after year 365 days a year,but thats with a pole so that does not count,you are at fault also so look in the mirror first. not one gillnet hits the water until the escapement is met,all the while, your waveing wall of hooks fish!! FACT and can be proven call wdf&g.get info before you say and condemn a group and not take your share of the blame,Honestly I am for the fish to live,I tied my fishing boat up for 3 years,I had more to lose than you,so hang up your salmon pole and let them live,to many rats after the chunk of cheese. "

People are the problem wrote on May 14, 2008 7:29 PM:

" Seals and sea lions cannot "ruin the fishing industry." Humans are to blame for the declining numbers. Anyone who thinks that the sea lions are a real threat to overall salmon numbers needs to cite the proof. The resource has been depleted...BECAUSE of the commercialization. Not a natural predator. "

To RHS wrote on May 14, 2008 7:41 PM:

" They are in every bay and port on the Oregon coast. People cannot fish on the bays anymore because of them. They tear up boats and terrorize children. I say, send them all back to California. Lets trap them and ship them home. "

To Gleeful Gleeful is wrote on May 14, 2008 8:09 PM:

" So, resident Einstein's, why have the SEA lions only in recent years decided to enjoy the free lunch provided them by the Columbia RIVER upstream to Bonneville? Besides ignoring that part of the equation, you nonchalantly say "so what, it's ok." Does anyone say "so what, it's ok" when their urban neighborhood is overrun by bear or other wild animal....? NO. So why do you have a problem with the SEA lion aiding in the purposeful decimation of remaining fish stocks? You must be members of the Inhumane Society. "

sam fowler wrote on May 14, 2008 8:20 PM:

" there was an actual bounty for seals Lou VARNER from the astoria area,said the seals got so smart the sound of his boat alarmed them,so he said I just switched boats!!!I gillnetted with my dad in astora in the 60s and you could not buy a seal,so bring back that bounty.3inch 12ga ttt shot safe, and problem solved. "

Huh wrote on May 14, 2008 11:01 PM:

" Someone actually tried comparing sea lions in the water to bears invading an "urban neighborhood." Um. Yeah. That makes sense. And he mocked the intelligence of other posters? (wry) If you're still not getting it: sea lions in the water=sea lions in a natural habitat. Bears in a neighbored=bears NOT in their natural habitat. "

Fencepost wrote on May 15, 2008 7:29 AM:

" Since the veterinarians are now telling us that the sea lions died of "heat prostration" (better known as heat stroke to you and me), it's obvious that trapping is INHUMANE and should be stopped immediately for eternity. That leaves only one solution. SHOOT them using a semi-automatic pistol with hollow-point bullets held to their lesbian heads while you drive them to an abortion clinic to prevent their reproduction as you stop to spit on the Greenpeace flag. We can't allow them to suffer like this while we punish them for eating OUR salmon. A speedy death is certainly the most humane choice. (P.S. -- I really am in favor of shooting California sea lions, which are a non-native, invasive species. They are competing with the native Stellar sea lions, causing the Stellars to be at even greater risk of extinction, not to mention the salmon.) "

sam fowler wrote on May 15, 2008 10:22 AM:

" to people are the problem:the commercialization,please explain. I hope that generalization must mean every commercial operation on the river and off the coast lets not forget charter boats and river guides.or is all that free. "

Poor poor sea lions wrote on May 15, 2008 11:34 AM:

" If Oregon and Washington would have had a comprehensive heat stress rule for caged sea lions they could have avoided the tragic death of these 6 beloved sea lions. They should be required to put misting stations in the cages when the temperature reaches 60 degrees. "

to poor sea lions wrote on May 15, 2008 11:50 AM:

" how can you say beloved,you got one that curls up at your feet meets you at the door,fetches your paper. People and pets can be beloved, not a seal. come back to planet earth. "

gatoraid wrote on May 15, 2008 12:47 PM:

" Cal, I will give you the benefit of my many years of experience (reading newspapers, that is). If the byline says "AP" or "Associated Press", I ALWAYS hold my judgement until the actual facts come out later by a reputable news source. "

Re to poor sea lions wrote on May 16, 2008 10:41 AM:

" It's called being sarcastic. Get a clue. I was poking fun at this, as well as the L&I "heat stress" rules they are trying to force down employers throats. "

Glenn West wrote on May 17, 2008 4:10 PM:

" I can't help but almost gag on the irony here: Every last one of the people who are bitterly complaining about the supposed greed of the sea lions, the supposed need for them to be killed to "save" the salmon... are FISHERMEN. If you can't interact peacefully with the wildlife on the river, then you have no business being out there. Stop scapegoating them for your own greed and stupidity. BTW, 2 of them had shrapnel in their bodies from previous encounters with... FISHERMEN. Shame on you all. Grow up. "

Stop Scapegoating wrote on May 17, 2008 4:16 PM:

" First, there is no way that sea lions died of heat stroke in cool, mild weather, in that amount of time. They bask in the sun ALL DAY LONG in hot summer weather. Poppycock.

Second, while you are pointing out errors in the media, you might also mention the the outrageous lack of veracity behind what is said about sea lions. They are NOT the culprits of the salmon crisis, we are. They have ALWAYS been on the Columbia, and are not having a "population explosion." They are merely coming back after being hunted to death by... us. WE are the aggressors, not them

Finally, could you be more obvious? Why keep using words like "gobble" and "scarf" instead of "eat" when referring to sea lions eating salmon? Why continue showing pictures of them eating salmon, without pictures of grubby humans "scarfing" and "gobbling" and gutting salmon?

Leave the sea lions alone. "

northender wrote on May 17, 2008 11:39 PM:

" When the seals and sea lions enter the columbia river,Humans become the preadator. Mother nature at work....courts-politicians, stand back and let nature take it`s course. "

mole wrote on May 25, 2008 4:51 PM:

" re: re: to poor sea lions,I am sorry for not catching the joke sprinkler system and all.but for all the nastyness that people seem to have when it comes to FISH-SEALS-GILLNETERS,POLITICIANS AND NOW RIVER GUIDES?with not a thought that 150,000 sportsmen have no effect the big picture is sometimes over-looked,too many rats after the same chunck of cheese!! "

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