Officials seize 2,500 pounds of fish caught illegally on Sandy River

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Officials seized 2,500 pounds of illegally caught smelt in a poaching operation on the Sandy River, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office said.

In collaboration with Oregon State Police, the goal of the Thursday operation was to protect "a crucial food source" for native species which are critical to the river ecosystem's survival.

According to the Oregon Department & Wildlife, eulachon smelt were listed as protected under the Endangered Species Act in 2010.