Status of Pacific Salmon & Their Habitats on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington

McHenry, Michael; Lichatowich, Jim; Kowalski-Hagaman, Rachael

In order to evaluate the status of salmon on the Olympic Peninsula, between the Queets River north and east to Admiralty Inlet, we divided the region into five ecological areas: Washington North Coast, Western Strait Juan de Fuca, Mid-Strait Juan de Fuca, Eastern Strait Juan de Fuca, and Admiralty Inlet/Inner Strait Juan de Fuca. Within each area we found a unique set of obstacles to the recovery of depleted salmon and steelhead populations. We also found a range of healthy and depleted populations. The status of salmon and steelhead stocks in the streams and rivers of the Olympic Peninsula roughly follows an east to west gradient. Healthy stocks on the Peninsula are all found in streams west of the Lyre River. A total of 33 stocks from Admiralty Inlet/Inner strait, eastern strait and mid-strait areas are listed as critical, threatened or extinct. At the western end of the Peninsula (north coastal and western strait), 23 stocks are listed as cricital, threatened or extinct. A combination of higher human population density (which has led to more extenisve development) and the Olympic rainshadow have caused greater levels of habitat degradation in the streams of the eastern side of the Peninsula. The coastal streams of the north Olympic Peninsula support most of the healthy stocks in the area covered by this study which reflects better quality habitat and favorable climatic conditions in the coastal area. Although the coastal streams are generally in better condition compared to the rest of the peninsula, many stocks are below their potential productivity because of fishing mortality. Stocks of chinook and coho are being depressed by mixed stock ocean fisheries primarily condicted off the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia. These fisheries are regulated by complex international agreements. Although resolution of fishing disputes appear insurmountable, considerable progress has already been made domestically, and ongoing negotiations hold great promise for reducing fishing mortality in both United States and Canadian origin stocks. There is also reason for concern regarding the future. The primary land use activity, timber harvest, has the potential to degrade habitat in river reaches outside the control of Olympic National Park. Some habitat degradation has already taken place in Ozette Lake, the Clearwater and Hoh watersheds and other areas. Even though parts of some watersheds are protected by Olympic National Park, salmon productivity can only be maintained if the entire watershed is managed in a manner that conserves the quality of the habitat.