Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026

This bill updates federal regulations to allow for the targeted removal of sea lions and harbor seals in Washington and Oregon to protect endangered salmon and steelhead. It creates a new program to fund and develop technology that physically blocks these marine mammals from entering critical fish habitats while ensuring navigation remains unimpeded. The legislation also establishes a specific permitting process that allows state agencies and federally recognized tribes to carry out humane lethal removals of these animals under strict oversight. A key provision requires the government to review and potentially end this lethal removal authority after five years if the Secretary determines it is no longer necessary for fish recovery. Additionally, the bill mandates regular reports to Congress on sea lion populations and their impact on fish species, along with a long-term study on the effectiveness of these management actions.