Salish Sea

The Salish Sea is a large marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean.

It sits between the Canadian province of British Columbia and the U.S. state of Washington. The sea is actually a complex network of many connected waterways. It includes the Strait of Georgia and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It also includes Puget Sound and many smaller channels. Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula partially separate these waters from the open Pacific Ocean. This region is part of a large urban area known as the Pacific Northwest megalopolis. This area is anchored by Metro Vancouver in the north and Metro Seattle in the south.

The geography of the sea is defined by its many parts and islands. It contains more than 400 islands. These are mostly grouped into the Discovery Islands, the Gulf Islands, and the San Juan Islands.

Whidbey Island in Washington is the largest and most populous of these islands. Bainbridge Island is the most densely populated island in the region. On the Canadian side, Texada Island is the largest by area. The sea has a total surface area of about 18,000 square kilometers. This is roughly the same size as the Gulf of Riga in Northern Europe. The sea reaches its maximum depth in Jervis Inlet.

The waters of the Salish Sea are shaped by a process called a salinity gradient. This happens because fresh water from rivers mixes with salty ocean water. Major rivers like the Fraser River discharge into the sea. The Fraser River is the largest source of fresh water in the region. It has an average discharge rate of 1,900 cubic meters per second. This influx of fresh water, along with sediment and nutrients, creates a very productive environment. The watershed for the sea is over six times larger than the sea's surface area. This constant movement of water and nutrients supports a very active marine ecosystem.

The history of the landscape began about 150 million years ago. During this time, the collision of continental plates formed the Georgia Depression. This is a large depression in the Earth's crust. Much later, the Cordilleran Ice Sheet carved the land during the Vashon Glaciation. This glacial period lasted from about 19,000 to 16,000 years ago. When the ice sheet finally retreated, sea water filled the scarred landscape. This process created the intricate network of channels we see today. The waterways have long been vital trade routes for the Coast Salish peoples.

The name "Salish Sea" is a relatively recent creation. Professor Bert Webber coined the term in 1988. He wanted an "overlay" name to unite the different bodies of water. He did not intend to replace names like Puget Sound or the Strait of Georgia. Instead, he hoped the name would raise awareness for protecting the local ecosystems. The name gained official recognition in both the U.S. and Canada by 2010. The term honors the Coast Salish, who are indigenous peoples of the region. They share common linguistic and cultural origins. The Salish language family actually consists of 23 separate languages.

The marine life in the Salish Sea is incredibly diverse. The sea hosts 253 different species of fish. It is also home to 37 species of marine mammals.

You can find Steller sea lions, humpback whales, and killer whales, also known as orcas. While some orca populations have struggled, humpback whales have seen recent increases.

Underwater, you can find massive forests of bull kelp and giant kelp.

These kelp species grow on hard, rocky surfaces. There are also large meadows of eelgrass in shallower areas. One of the most unique features is the glass sponge reefs. These mineral-rich reefs are protected from bottom-contact fishing due to their importance.

Today, the Salish Sea is a vital region for millions of people. As of 2021, the surrounding area was home to 8.76 million people. Many large cities line the coasts, such as Victoria, Nanaimo, Tacoma, and Bellingham. The region connects various economic and social systems across an international border. It remains a place where human activity and natural ecosystems are deeply linked. The health of the water affects the many people and animals that rely on it.