Salish Sea Marine Survival Project: Putting Findings into Action for the Future of Salmon

The Salish Sea Marine Survival Project (SSMSP, https://marinesurvivalproject.com) published its final Synthesis Report in 2021, summarizing key findings and recommendations from over 5 years of research into the causes of poor marine survival for Salish Sea Chinook, coho, and steelhead salmon. The project, led by Long Live the Kings in the U.S. and the Pacific Salmon Foundation in Canada, united more than sixty regional and international partners to enable one of the most comprehensive assessments of the Salish Sea ecosystem. It offers a critically important model for large-scale scientific collaborations addressing systemic, transboundary questions. This presentation summarizes the SSMSP's approach and core findings about the drivers of salmon and steelhead productivity in the Salish Sea: specifically, climate-change related shifts at the base of the marine food web, increased numbers of predators, and the local effects of pollution, disease, and habitat loss. The presentation will also look ahead to ongoing studies, ecosystem modeling work, research and monitoring programs and needs for continued coordination among regional partners, and recommended management strategies based on the SSPMSP's findings.