A new study by University of Victoria (UVic) and Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) scientists has uncovered what adult Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea are eating, and revealed that their diet can differ according to region.
UVic PhD student Wesley Greentree led the research, which analyzed stomach contents from over 1,000 Chinook salmon caught by fisheries and research vessels between 2015 and 2020. The team found that Chinook in the Strait of Georgia primarily feed on Pacific herring and krill, while those in Puget Sound rely more on sand lance and other forage fish.
“Understanding these regional diet differences is crucial for managing salmon recovery efforts,” said Greentree. “If we want to protect Chinook, we need to know what they’re eating and where.” The study was published in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series on May 12, 2026.
PSF president Dr. Brian Riddell noted that the findings highlight the importance of protecting diverse prey habitats. “Chinook salmon are a keystone species in the Salish Sea, and their diet reflects the health of the ecosystem,” he said. The research was funded by the PSF and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
