Salish Sea’s unique geography puts it between major Canadian and American port cities, making it a vital element of the local economy. This situation presents many ecological hazards, primarily due to the region’s industrialization and tourism sector. For example, the Port of Seattle has recently proposed to expand one of its terminals to increase the capacity to berth cruise ships (Chan). This project aims to increase the number of inbound cruise ships traveling through the Salish Sea, endangering the local marine ecology. Increased ship traffic particularly threatens the endangered orca whale population through noise pollution and a higher risk of colliding with a vessel (United States District Court). While the recent decline in tourist activity due to the pandemic has somewhat alleviated the threat, the current trend for expansion is likely to exacerbate the issue.
Several local organizations have repeatedly challenged the Port authorities’ expansion plan. For example, the Center for Biological Diversity has been fighting against the project implementation for several years. The Center is a non-governmental organization advocating for protecting threatened and endangered animal species and their natural environments. Its goals include raising public awareness of regional environmental and animal protection issues and addressing them through a scientific approach, legal actions, and creative media (Center for Biological Diversity). The Center actively protects endangered marine animals, including the Salish Sea orcas. In 2001, the Center secured 74 whale population protections under the Endangered Species Act (United States District Court). The Center also filed a federal lawsuit in 2021 to raise awareness of the problem and find support from the government (Burton and Kilduff; United States District Court). It led to the federal government issuing a regulation that expanded critical habitat protection areas for the Salish Sea orca population (Simmonds). These results clearly indicate the Center’s impact on preserving the Salish Sea marine life.
However, prioritizing marine life and environmental protection can also negatively impact the region’s economy. The Washington state’s tourism sector supports 205,000 jobs, and the Seattle Port plays a significant part in ensuring the flow of visitors (Markles). While the pandemic has hit the local tourism sector hard, further decreasing the market growth by limiting tourist flow can significantly reduce the number of available jobs. Therefore, it is vital for environmental activists, local authorities, and the government to find common ground between protecting the Salish Sea marine life and ensuring the well-being of the state’s citizens.
Works Cited
Burton, Elizabeth, and Catherine Kilduff. Earth Day Celebration at Port of Seattle Seeks to Protect Ocean, Endangered Orcas From Vessels in Salish Sea. Biological Diversity, Web.
Center for Biological Diversity. About the Center. Biological Diversity, Web.
Chan, Kenneth. New additional $200-million cruise ship terminal to be built in downtown Seattle. Daily Hive, Web.
Markles, Sienna Spencer. Newly Released State Stats Show Washington Tourism Remains Significantly Below Pre-Pandemic Levels. State of Washington Tourism, Web.
Simmonds, Julie Teel. Endangered Orcas’ West Coast Habitat Receives New Federal Protection. Biological Diversity, Web.
United States District Court, Western District of Washington at Seattle. Center for Biological Diversity vs. United States Army Corps of Engineers (2:21-cv-00275). District Court, W.D. Washington, Web.