Where is the Salish Sea?

Internationally located in southwest British Columbia and northwest Washington State, the Salish Sea includes aquatic areas historically and more commonly known as Puget Sound (to the South), the Strait of Georgia (to the North) and Juan de Fuca Strait (to the West).

Communities along her shores include Vancouver and Victoria in British Columbia (Canada), as well as Seattle, Olympia and Bellingham in Washington State (USA).

The Salish Sea supports an active and dynamic marine ecosystem, dominated by species suited to the brackish, nutrient-rich, conditions. As with all marine food webs, the Salish Sea features a range of trophic groups, with autotrophic algae acting as primary producers. The fluvial systems draining British Columbia and Washington state introduce large volumes of sediment and dissolved nutrients into the Salish Sea.

The Salish Sea is home to 253 fish species contained within 78 families and 31 orders. Of the 172 bird species found in the area, 72 are highly dependent on the marine ecosystem for their food.