This grant is directed to the washington state recreation and conservation office to support their efforts to increase the production of salmon that will support the stability of salmon populations to…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded $1.970 million to the Recreation & Conservation Office on October 1, 2025, under the Pacific Salmon Treaty Program (CFDA 11.438) to increase Pacific salmon production and support salmon population stability for U.S. fisheries, tribal fishing rights, and Southern Resident Killer Whale prey abundance. The grant runs through September 30, 2030, with place of performance in Olympia, Washington.

The Recreation & Conservation Office, a Washington state pass-through entity, sub-awarded funding to the Tulalip Tribes and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to execute salmon recovery work. The Tulalip Tribes use sub-award funds to increase Tulalip Hatchery subyearling summer Chinook production by up to 2.0 million in broodyear 2022 (increasing releases from 2.4 million to 4.4 million, contingent on returning broodstock availability) and to develop design plans for improved adult capture and juvenile release facilities at Lower Tulalip Creek Ponds. The Tulalip Tribes are also testing experimental rearing and release groups to reduce negative interactions with natural-origin fish while maximizing survival and contribution to Southern Resident Killer Whales. The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, in partnership with the University of Washington and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, renovated the salmon rearing pond and associated infrastructure on the University of Washington Seattle campus at Portage Bay and supports production of 180,000 Chinook salmon to increase food availability for Southern Resident Killer Whales.

This grant is directed to the washington state recreation and conservation office to support their efforts to increase the production of salmon that will support the stability of salmon populations to ensure continued salmon harvest for U.S. Fisheries, maintain tribal fishing rights, and improve prey abundance for southern resident killer whales. This grant aims to stabilize and enhance pacific salmon populations to maintain sustainable U.S. Fisheries, which would provide maritime jobs, support coastal economies, and strengthen our nations seafood supply chain.