OLYMPIA, Wash. – A new report shows that salmon in Washington state are still struggling.
The Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office says salmon face an increasing number of challenges that are partially due to climate change.
Fourteen population groups of salmon and steelhead are listed as at-risk of extinction and the office reports that ten of them are in crisis or falling further from recovery goals.
Problems they face include habitat loss, stormwater pollution, stream temperature, predation and barriers to migration.
The report does note that salmon numbers are growing in some places like the Hood Canal and the Snake River.
The director of the office says state and federal funding for salmon recovery has increased significantly in the past year.