Update: The Humane Society has filed an appeal of the decision denying a temporary injunction to stop removing or killing sea lions. Oregon state officials say they cannot begin killing sea lions until next week. Even though the mammals are protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Act an exception allows their removal if they adversely affect fish stocks. The Humane Society argues that the exception is applicable to overall numbers of fish and not those in a specific location which consumption may annoy sportsmen. Estimates of the number of salmon eaten by their natural preditors are under 4%. [photo: basking sea lions at Pier 39, San Francisco]A federal judge bowed to the arguments of frustrated sportsmen and government biologists on Wednesday and refused to issue a preliminary injunction against the trapping and eventual culling of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) feeding on salmon below the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. Salmon stocks are at historic lows due primarily to overfishing, pollution, and hydroelectric power generation. But a relatively few adult male sea lions who have made the ninety mile trip from the coast to feast on endangered salmon in the river have been too conspicuous in their consumption. Anglers are very competitive about "their" salmon and have demanded action against the bodacious pinnipeds. The sea lions are responsible for consuming about 4% of the depleted runs based on actual observations. A National Marine Fisheries trapping program has been worked out with Washington and Oregon for the first thirty offenders which will be relocated to zoos and theme parks. More sea lions may be killed because the program allows eighty-five sea lions to be taken for five years. The marine mammal is also protected under federal law. A final ruling on the program is due from the court in May. Its not immediately clear if the relocated animals will be replaced by coastal sea lions willing to travel for a meal. The judge who ruled on the request for an injunction from the Humane Society of the United States admitted "it's a rather remarkable thing to say that [killing] an individual animal will cause irreparable harm." Only if you are irreparably homocentric, your honor.