SALMON RECOVERY

The San Juan Islands are located at the water cross-roads of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound. Because of their position at the junction of three major water bodies, the waters are rich in nutrients and food for marine organisms. The waters of the San Juan Islands are home to an abundant sea life population. Dall's porpoise, seals, Steller's sea lions, river otters, and a variety of fish including salmon, lingcod and rockfish live in its waters. The most famous residents of these waters are the southern community of Orca Whales and salmon are one of their favorite foods.

In its position within the larger region the San Juan archipelago is a source of energy and a temporary haven for many fish en route to and from other regions. Although there are no known natural salmon spawning areas in the islands, San Juan County waters and the nearshore are essential parts of the larger picture for salmon recovery in Puget Sound. Multiple species of salmon from other watersheds across the region use the islands during their life cycles, utilizing a corresponding array of habitats. Many populations of Chinook move through the islands for migration and rearing, it is likely that all 22 populations of Chinook salmon occupy the San Juan Islands nearshore ecosystem at some point in their life cycles. There is indication that Hood Canal chum may use the area to some extent. It is not evident that bull trout use the county waters but more research is needed to understand their use of the marine habitat to be conclusive.

The San Juan County / Water Resource Inventory Area 2 (WRIA2) plan is directed toward the preservation and/or restoration of nearshore ecosystem functions vital to all salmon. The emphasis on salmon species listed under the Endangered Species Act is acknowledged, but the WRIA 2 plan is intended to more broadly address the habitat needs of multiple salmon species that use, or that may use, the San Juan Islands.

Much of the nearshore habitat in the islands, and many shorelines and uplands, are intact and functioning, so the first key is to protect high quality habitat for salmon. Restoring degraded habitat and continuing research and monitoring are other keys to success in San Juan County. While some attention is directed to establishing or restoring small, local salmon runs, the major effort in the islands is to protect nearshore habitat. This is based on the premise that it is far easier to protect the marine waters, nearshore and adjacent uplands than it is to restore them after they are degraded.

The diverse marine ecosystems of the San Juan Islands have been the subject of many studies. However, research has not been directed towards an understanding of the most effective ways to protect and restore marine and nearshore habitats for salmon recovery. What is known is that human activities in the watershed - from the uplands to the marine waters - can significantly alter ecosystem processes and habitats needed for salmon in the region. There is very small land mass in San Juan County, especially in relation to the extent of marine environment - every development, every individual homeowner choice, every town and hamlet activity directly affects the marine waters. There is much that isn't known, however, and it is also important to use caution where causes and effects are uncertain.

The local strategy is to focus first on filling gaps in knowledge about nearshore contributions to migratory salmon and other aspects of nearshore habitats and utilize this information to enhance protection measures and identify and prioritize restoration activities.

San Juan County Salmon Recovery Plan
http://www.psp.wa.gov/SR_map.php

Salmon Recovery Funding Board
http://www.rco.wa.gov/salmon_recovery/index.shtml

Presentations from Salmon Recovery Technical Workshop
The purpose of the workshop held on January 26, 2009 was to identify preliminary findings that can help direct future salmon recovery actions including protection, restoration and research. The workshop focused on preliminary results from assessment projects in San Juan County that have their first or second year of results. The presentations highlighted information about nearshore as well as freshwater systems in San Juan County and provided information about important fish habitats documented to date in the County.

Skagit River System Cooperative--Preliminary findings of the Habitat Based Assessment of Juvenile Salmon Project

Habitat Assessment Introduction

Beach Seine Results

Tow Net Results

Genetic Analysis

Wild Fish Conservancy--WRIA Watershed Inventory and Assessment Project

Friends of the San Juans--Salmon Habitat Protection Blueprint

Kwiaht--Salmon Prey-Base Study

San Juan Initiative--San Juan Ecosystem Based Initiative

Northwest Straits Foundation--Derelict Fishing Gear Removal in the San Juans

Information/Resources

Round 10 Salmon Recovery Funding

San Juan Watershed Profile

San Juan Conceptual Flowcharts

WRIA 2 Three Year Work Program Description

WRIA 2 Three Year Work Program Details

Database of Salmon Recovery Habitat Projects and Programs

Resources

San Juan County (WRIA 2) Lead Entity

Barbara Rosenkotter
135 Rhone Street * PO Box 947 Friday Harbor, WA 98250 Phone: 360-370-7593
Email: BarbaraR@co.san-juan.wa.us