Sea lion hazing to begin at Willamette Falls

Oregon wildlife biologists plan to begin hazing sea lions this week at the Willamette Falls fish ladder near Oregon City.

The Statesman Journal reports the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife hopes the second year of hazing at the fish ladder and downriver will help reduce the number of federally listed salmon and steelhead gobbled up during their migration to the upper Willamette River and its tributaries.

Hazing will take place from dawn until dusk five days a week through April 30 in the section between the falls and the Interstate 205 Bridge about a mile downstream.

Fish and Wildlife employees will use fireworks from the fish ladder and a boat to drive California sea lions away from the falls.

No hazing will be done downstream from the I-205 Bridge.