28-05-2025
Some Washington salmon face ‘brink' of extinction, report finds
PORTLAND, Ore. (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.
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'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.
'Salmon face many challenges throughout their lives,' explained Erik Neatherlin, director of the Governor's Salmon Recovery Office. 'Climate change causes more flooding that flushes young salmon downstream before they are ready. It is warming the ocean, which also is becoming more acidic. And when salmon return home, they face rivers that are too warm and don't have enough water. The restoration projects happening all around the state are an essential piece of the puzzle for reversing these trends.'
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For generations, Washington's salmon populations have been in decline, officials said. As the state has grown, many places where salmon have lived were altered or destroyed.
In 1991, the federal government declared the first species of salmon in the Pacific Northwest as endangered, and by the end of the decade, salmon and steelhead listed as endangered had covered three-quarters of the state.
While some salmon populations are facing challenges driven by climate change, degrading habitats, blocked migration routes and pollution, the report also found 'some bright spots,' the office said.
'Four salmon species improved, and we have seen more money invested in salmon recovery in the past several years,' Neatherlin said. 'This has allowed more partners to come together to do more for salmon. We know that the only way to have a future for salmon and people is by working together.'
Since 2005, 3,866 barriers to fish passage have been fixed and more than 5,000 miles of stream have been made accessible to salmon, in addition to over 53,000 waterways that were restored in the state, according to the office.
'Tribes, partners and communities are working all around the state,' Neatherlin said. 'In spite of growing challenges, we are seeing some signs of progress to save these iconic fish. We must double down on these efforts, and we must continue to work together.'
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