From the period 1975 through 1983, the standing spawning biomass exceeded 10,000 tons each year, primarily because of large Cherry Point stock estimate. The period 1984-1987 saw a substantial decline in the biomass, again largely related to a decline in the Cherry Point stock estimates. From 1988 to 1994, a gradual increase in total spawning biomass has taken place, and then a decline in 1995 and 1996. All stocks in the region have, to some degree, contributed to this escalation. The Strait of Juan de Fuca collection of stocks contains the smallest spawning biomass among the four regions.
Discovery Bay is the location of the predominant stock.
From the mid 1980s to the present, stock estimates from this region have shown a continuing decline. The reason for the decrease in abundance is unknown. Commercial landings from the area during the 1977-96 period have been insignificant and no known major environmental changes in the area have occurred. The cumulative total Puget Sound spawning biomass for the 1977-96 period is 15,994 tons. Annual cumulative estimates above 15,000 tons are presently considered the baseline level for a healthy regional herring population.