Pacific salmon species are a cultural icon for Washington and the Pacific Northwest.
Salmon Numbers Have Declined
Washington’s streams and lakes are home to at least five different species of Pacific salmon: Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Chum, and Pink. Over the last century, the Pacific Northwest has experienced significant declines of these fish species causing them to be listed on the Endangered Species list.
A landmark study sponsored by the Washington State Department of National Resources and WFPA showed that no single cause, but rather a multitude of factors, have contributed to the reduced abundance of Washington’s native salmon. Some of these factors include fishing, hydroelectric dams, agriculture, mining, an increase in natural predators, poor ocean conditions caused by a shift in winds, water currents, plankton concentration, and water temperature.
Private Foresters Doing Their Part to Recover Salmon Population
While forestry is not noted as a major cause in the decline of our wild salmon, private foresters are doing their part to help bring the salmon population back by providing better habitat, food, and creating the cool, clean water that salmon need to thrive. They have played an active role in the creation of the Forests and Fish Law which is the basis of Washington Forest Practices Habitat Conservation Plan. These policies have been put in place to require foresters to follow strict guidelines to safeguard the water quality of Washington’s streams and rivers. In addition, new forest practices for forest road and culverts, buffer zones, and unstable slopes have been implemented as part of the overall strategy to recover salmon population levels.