Thursday April 25, 2024
The Journal of Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater —
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed into law the House Bill 2293, sponsored by Representative J.T. Wilcox, which aims to establish the Avian Salmon Predation Work Group.
The workgroup, comprising representatives from various stakeholder groups, including Indian tribes, fishers, conservation organizations, and state and federal agencies, will research the welfare of the state’s salmon population.
Their objectives include identifying avian species preying on juvenile salmon, assessing the overall impact of avian predation, and proposing potential solutions.
Rep. Wilcox emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that “the declining health of our salmon runs touches the lives of everyone in Washington, whether they realize it or not. From landowners to loggers, farmers to fishers, and everyone in between, the vitality of our salmon populations has significant economic, cultural, and ecological consequences for all who call Washington home.