This indicator evaluates the abundance and trends of the 22 Chinook salmon populations by measuring the number of natural-origin adult fish on the spawning grounds of five Puget Sound regions. Abundance estimates here do not include hatchery-origin fish (with few exceptions) or Chinook taken in harvest or by predators like orcas. The indicator is intended to reflect the goal of achieving wild population recovery of Puget Sound Chinook, which are federally listed as threatened.

• There have been small signs of recovery of Puget Sound Chinook populations in each biogeographic region since they were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1999. All populations are increasing in natural-origin, naturally-spawning abundance in recent years. Therefore, our conclusion about progress of the populations of Puget Sound Chinook salmon is “Getter Better.”

• While most populations remain far below the recovery planning targets adopted by NOAA Fisheries, some are doing better (see the indicator map). For instance, the recent 5-year abundance geomean for Suiattle River spring Chinook salmon is greater than its low productivity planning target for abundance. Suiattle spring Chinook salmon, Upper Sauk River spring Chinook salmon, and Upper Skagit River summer Chinook salmon are at 79%, 41%, and 40%, respectively, of their low productivity planning targets.

• The Puget Sound Partnership recently set a recovery target for all Chinook salmon populations to increase and at least half of the populations to reach their recovery goals by 2050.