Image Image Credit Ryan Hagerty/FWS Pacific Salmon Ryan Hagerty/FWS Salmon runs have declined and disappeared throughout the Salish Sea, Columbia Basin and Alaska primarily due to ecological degradation for industrial and economic development. Salmon are important prey for many species, including critically endangered southern resident orcas, and they are significant to the culture of First Nations and to the economy of the West Coast. Salmon are also indicators of healthy river and marine ecosystems — as habitats degrade and disappear, so do salmon, and as salmon disappear, the quality of the ecosystem decreases as well, since salmon are an important source of nutrients. Damming of rivers has caused the collapse and extirpation of many salmon runs throughout the west. Many dams block salmon from accessing thousands of miles of their former range, make it more difficult for adults to spawn upriver and impede newly hatched salmon from traveling downriver. Coastal development has also led to a loss of salmon habitat and an increase in polluted runoff, which harms and kills salmon. Climate change is increasing stream and river temperatures throughout the country, which is problematic for salmon, who can die if temperatures are too high. Defenders' Impact Defenders advocates for the removal of outdated and destructive dams, like the four on the lower Snake River. Defenders launched a program in 2017 called Orcas Love Raingardens, which helps to reduce polluted stormwater runoff by promoting raingardens at public schools and parks. These raingardens offer an excellent opportunity to educate the public and students about orcas and salmon and ways they can help keep pollutants out of the Salish Sea. We also advocate for funding for federal programs like the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Geographic Area Program that provide critical funding to the region to protect and restore salmon, habitat and water quality. Threats & Status What You Can Do Facts Range & Population Behavior & Reproduction Threats Rising stream and river temperatures, dams, habitat destruction and pollution are threatening salmon. Protection Status Endangered Species Act IUCN Red List Many species and populations are listed as threatened or endangered. Status varies across species and populations. News Image ANCHORAGE, AK NOVEMBER 19, 2021 Defenders Applauds Biden Administration’s Move to Protect Roadless Areas in Tongass National Forest The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that next week it will propose reinstating the national Roadless Area Conservation Rule in the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. The move would restrict development on roughly 9.3 million acres in North America’s largest temperate rainforest. VISIT THE NEWSROOM Pacific Salmon Blog Posts Image JULY 22, 2021 Watching Wildlife: Celebrating Latino Conservation Week and Getting Out Into Nature Image APRIL 13, 2021 Restoring the Most Endangered River Image MARCH 3, 2021 Pacific Northwest Forests: Sustaining Wildlife, People and the Planet VISIT THE BLOG Publications Buoying Washington State's Response to Abandoned and Derelict Vessels Connecting the Dots: Orcas, Salmon and Toxic Chemicals in the Salish Sea Related Regions Alaska California Northwest Related Issues Protecting Habitat Speaking for Wildlife Read More About Pacific Salmon Coexisting with Orcas Wildlife and Wild Places Image Wetlands and Rivers Image Freshwater Fishes Image Orca Image Oceans Image Get Alerts & Updates facebook twitter instagram youtube medium pinterest Footer menu ABOUT US FAQ DEFENDERS MAGAZINE PUBLICATIONS JOBS & INTERNSHIPS CONTACT US 1130 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036 1-800-385-9712 © 2021 Defenders of Wildlife Terms of Use Privacy Policy Accessibility Statement How Funds Are Used 97% 97% of our funds go towards program and support services, with only 3% going towards fundraising. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to browse, you agree to the use of cookies. Cookie Policy. OK