Salmon
Number of natural-origin summer chum salmon on spawning grounds

This indicator evaluates the abundance values and their trends of the two Hood Canal summer-run chum salmon populations as measured by the number of natural-origin adult fish on the spawning grounds. Abundance estimates here do not include hatchery-origin fish or fish taken in harvest or by predators like orcas. The indicator is intended to reflect the goal of achieving wild population recovery of Hood Canal summer chum, which are federally listed as threatened.

Annual percent change in spawner abundance from 1999 to 2021 for two Hood Canal summer chum salmon populations (Hood Canal and Strait of Juan de Fuca). The lines show the 25th to 75th credibility intervals (CIs). CIs represent a range of values the true annual percent change likely falls within.

Key Vital Sign Indicator Results

  • Hood Canal summer chum salmon abundance has increased in both populations since they were listed as threatened under the ESA in 1999. Therefore, our conclusion about progress of the Hood Canal summer chum populations is “Getting Better.”
  • Estimates of population spawner abundance of the two Hood Canal summer chum populations have increased (statistically significantly for one population, though not for the other) since the baseline reference period when the populations were listed in 1999.
  • One population remains below its low productivity threshold for low risk of extinction (the recent 5-year abundance geomean for the Strait of Juan de Fuca summer chum population is at 72% of its threshold), the other population is far above this threshold (the Hood Canal summer chum population is at 243% of its threshold; see the indicator map).

Contributing Partners

Target

No targets are currently set for this indicator.

Vital Sign Indicator Reporter
Indicator Details
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Last Updated
3/6/2023