Salish Sea Archive
The Salish Sea encompasses the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Strait of Georgia, and the Puget Sound. If we don’t know the name of something, we can’t adequately protect it.
The idea of using “Salish Sea” as an umbrella name for the Puget Sound, The Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Strait of Georgia goes back to the early 1980s. That was when the science clearly suggested that the combined waters of the three bodies of water were an integrated estuary and ecosystem. I thought “Salish Sea” would be an appropriate name for this body of water. As the name recognition increased over time there was a movement to have the name formalized—first by the US Tribes and CA First Nations (2007) and then in early 2010 by BC, WA, the US, and CA.
I am particularly interested in the Salish Sea estuary. For an introduction of how the estuary works and what it does go to estuarine circulation.
A history of the naming is described in the story “Naming the Salish Sea”.
If you have interest in adding to our understanding of the Salish Sea email Bert Webber at salishseacentral@gmail.com
Nick Stringer helped construct the layout of Salish Sea Central
This is why Nick cares about the Salish Sea
For the past year I have gone birding in the Salish Sea Watershed. I always bring my camera with me so I can remember the beautiful faces I see on my trips. One of my best experiences was when I saw a mating pair of bald eagles soaring above me near Anacortes. I had never been so close to such massive birds. I remember one eagle went to relax in their nest while the other flew circles around me. It was utterly without fear. At one point, it flew right over me to perch on a tree that was nearby. The entire time I had been snapping photos, trying to get as many images of the eagles as possible. But eventually I put my camera away and sat down on the trail so I could look at the birds with my own eyes.
There was something in their look, and in their voice, that told me they could see me and knew I wasn’t a threat, as if I wasn’t worth their time. Usually, when I’ve encroached on an animals’ territory they run, fly, or swim away. But these eagles didn’t. I have never met animals that were as proud, or self-assured as they were. It is something I will always remember.
The animals of the Salish Sea are what make me love the waterways and estuaries of Washington State. Without them, this area would be much less beautiful and a lot less healthy. If we can all learn to appreciate the Salish Sea and its’ animals, we will all be more inclined to preserve such an integral aspect of Washington State.