The Salish Sea spans the Canada – U.S. border, extending from the Strait of Georgia in British Columbia to Puget Sound in Washington State and international waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca where it meets the Pacific Ocean.
Marine waters of the Salish Sea drain mountainous coastal watersheds that connect terrestrial and freshwater habitats for migratory and anadromous species to the sea.
The highly productive marine waters support large numbers of marine birds, particularly in winter, including Marbled Murrelet, Western Grebe, and a diversity of gulls, as well as iconic species such as Southern Resident Killer Whales and Pacific salmon.
The name, Salish Sea, recognizes the Coast Salish Indigenous Nations who lived in the region since time immemorial, stewarding the region’s land, water and resources. Currently, almost 9 million people live in the Salish Sea area, prospering from its resources. More than half the residents are located in urban centers in and around Metro Vancouver and Seattle areas, both of which are experiencing population growth and development.
Additional human activities in the Salish Sea include trade, tourism, secondary manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, all of which rely on efficient transportation systems by air, land and sea. Improved knowledge on the cumulative effects of these pressures in a changing climate will inform ways to protect the health of the Salish Sea Ecosystem and sustain ecological, economic, and social benefits of this important region.
