Thursday May 29, 2025
KOIN —
A new report released by the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office in Washington, found some salmon populations have seen growth, while others are struggling and face extinction.
On Tuesday, the Salmon Recovery Office announced the release of the “State of Salmon in Watershed Executive Study,” finding four salmon species have improved since the last report in 2022.
Of the 14 species of salmon and steelhead in Washington that are listed as at risk of extinction, six are improving while eight are either struggling or in crisis, the report found.
“Salmon are critical to our economy and way of life,” said Megan Duffy, director of the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. “They support our commercial and recreational fishing industry. They are food for other animals including endangered Southern Resident orcas. They are key to Tribal culture and treaty rights, and they support many tourist communities. It is encouraging to see there is progress but the number of salmon populations still struggling reminds us that now is not the time to let up. We must continue investing in saving salmon so we all may benefit.”
The biennial report notes that salmon are facing challenges made worse by climate change, including habitat loss, warming waters, and an increase in wildfires destroying trees along riverbanks that provide shade.