A judge on Wednesday refused to allow an injunction to halt the killing of sea lions threatening salmon in the Columbia Gorge.

KGW photo

Sea lion C-404 has managed to find a way through gates designed to keep him out of the Bonneville Dam area.

The Humane Society filed a motion for the injunction last month.

U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman ruled Wednesday that the National Marine Fisheries Service and the states of Oregon and Washington are likely to prevail if the case goes to court.

Those favoring the removal say the sea lions are damaging salmon runs listed under the Endangered Species Act and protected at great expense.

The states estimate the sea lions eat up to about 4 percent of the spring chinook run as it schools at the base of the dam to pass through fish ladders en route to upriver spawning grounds.

The judge Wednesday said he could not find evidence of irreparable harm to the sea lion population.

Traps were set to be put in place next week so some of the animals could be taken permanent facilities such as zoos or marine theme parks.

The National Marine Fisheries Service authorized the killing or capture of up to 85 California sea lions a year for five years at the base of the dam but recommended the removal of a smaller number.

The animals are protected by the Marine Mammals Protection Act of 1972 but an amendment allows for lethal removal of some animals at the request of the states.

While the species was nearly wiped from hunting by the 1930s, it has prospered in recent decades and now is thought to number about 240,000.

The authorization to kill or remove sea lions also has strong support from Columbia River Indian tribes.

Oregon and Washington with the support of Idaho, made the request in 2006.