Restoring Columbia Basin salmon is a key to orca survival
The tremendous salmon recovery potential in the Snake and Columbia Rivers and their tributaries makes this basin a top priority for rebuilding the Chinook salmon populations our endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales need to survive and recover.
With just 73 whales remaining in the wild, the Northwest’s Southern Resident Killer Whales are among our nation’s most endangered species. The leading cause of decline: lack of sufficient prey resources – Chinook salmon. With its historic productivity, low human population, and remaining pockets of large, high, pristine and well protected habitat, the Columbia and Snake River Basin represents our nation’s best opportunity to restore the large numbers of Chinook salmon that endangered, hungry orcas need to survive and recover.
