Salish Sea

American  

[sey-lish see] / ˈseɪ lɪʃ ˈsi /

noun

1. a marginal sea of the Pacific waters of Washington State and British Columbia, Canada, comprising Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Strait of Georgia. 6,900 sq. mi. (18,000 sq. km).

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Etymology

Origin of Salish Sea

First recorded in 1985–90; named after the Coast Salish ( def. )

Example Sentences

The team found that inner coast transients, estimated at roughly 350 individuals, typically stayed about six kilometers from shore in relatively shallow areas such as the Salish Sea.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2025

Spaal’ the Raven and Smuy the little deer are neighbors who live next to the Salish Sea.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2024

Ben Goldfarb, a nature journalist who is currently writing a book about fish, noted that dams still affect the orcas that inhabit the Salish Sea off Washington state and British Columbia.

From Slate • Aug. 28, 2024

The name Salish Sea sparked international collaboration between scientists, policymakers and others, uniting in the cause of the restoration and protection of shared waters over an international border.

From Seattle Times • May 19, 2024

The funding will reach projects across the region, from the outer coast to the Salish Sea and North Cascades.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2024