Scientific monitoring and evaluation of recovery work must be fully funded

The chart shows broad trends in abundance for fish listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. “Abundance” represents the number of fish returning to spawn (either total number of fish spawning naturally or number of wild-born fish spawning naturally). The type of abundance data available and used for evaluation depends on several factors, including the ability to distinguish between hatchery-origin and natural-origin fish on spawning grounds. In most cases, the fish that are counted towards recovery goals are wild-born (natural-origin) spawners. Abundance is one key piece of information the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses to evaluate salmon recovery status. Additional attributes for evaluating population status that are not shown in this report include productivity, life history, genetic diversity, and the spatial structure of the populations (i.e. where and when the fish migrate and spawn). NOAA also considers threats and factors affecting the health of listed fish populations including habitat, harvest, hydro-power impacts.

Data Sources: this is a nonstatistical evaluation of adult abundance trends for wild fish and is based on data provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and tribes.  * Recovery goals for Puget Sound steelhead are under development.