BiOp watch

The federal government as soon as tomorrow might unveil its long-awaited "biological opinion" on the endangered Steller sea lion.

Will it include a "jeopardy" determination for the Steller, or a finding of "adverse modification" of its critical habitat?

Will it force tighter restrictions on Alaska's huge pollock fishery, which by one theory is robbing the sea lions of food?

Will it shut down a valuable harvest you might never have heard of, the Atka mackerel fishery?

Or will the BiOp prove to be no treat at all to commercial fishing?

The scuttlebutt is that scientists within the National Marine Fisheries Service have clashed over what the BiOp should say.

Can't wait to see who won.