Washington Coast
Key Takeaways
This region supports more than half of Washington’s non-listed salmon and steelhead populations. However, steelhead trout and spring Chinook salmon continue to decline, causing emergency closures of fishing seasons and concern for the species’ future.
Protecting and restoring habitat is essential to sustain salmon runs and resiliency of coastal communities and tribes. Large river restoration projects have begun to address critical habitat issues.
Climate change likely will increase floods, shrink glaciers, and warm streams. The Coast Salmon Partnership is developing a climate adaptation framework to identify the best opportunities to increase climate resiliency of salmon.
View Key Recovery Indicators
About the Region
The Washington Coast Salmon Recovery Region, blanketed by forest and far from large cities, represents the last, best chance to protect and restore Washington salmon populations. The region has relatively intact streams, rivers, and estuaries but its salmon are at historically low numbers, indicating considerable hard work ahead. Climate change further will impact these populations: larger and more frequent floods, shrinking glaciers, and warming streams threaten their sustainability.
The Coast Salmon Partnership, a strong coalition of local governments, tribes, residents, and nonprofits, is committed to maintaining sustainable salmon stocks and avoiding additional Endangered Species Act listings through strategic planning and implementation.
Salmon Recovery Stories
Enter “Salmon Stories” using the button below to explore story maps from tribes, salmon recovery groups, and agencies.
