Chinook salmon are a cultural icon of the Pacific Northwest and are listed as “Threatened” under the federal Endangered Species Act; currently they are about one-third as abundant as they were in the early 1900s. Returning Chinook are highly prized by anglers and commercial fisherman; are guaranteed to be available to Indian Tribes by treaties signed with the federal government; and are a favorite food of orca whales. Throughout their lifecycle, Chinook salmon depend on a wide variety of freshwater, estuary, nearshore and marine habitats.
This Vital Sign tells us about the health of salmon populations, particularly Puget Sound Chinook populations, and whether efforts to improve salmon habitat and coordinated management of harvest and hatcheries are having the desired effect of improving salmon populations. Salmon are keystone species – species that exert a disproportionate influence on their ecosystems – which means that when their habitats and food webs decrease, the ecosystem itself is at risk. Record population growth in the Puget Sound is a result of the surging economy. This growth comes with stressors to the ecosystem that are negatively impacting the species that depend on it. Currently, the factors that are stressing the ecosystem, whether from growth and development or climate change, are outpacing recovery efforts.
Although the indicator focuses on Chinook salmon populations specifically, it is intended to serve as an indicator of the health of all salmon and steelhead species in Puget Sound.
VITAL SIGN INDICATOR | PROGRESS | STATUS |
---|
VITAL SIGN INDICATOR | PROGRESS | STATUS |
---|