BELLINGHAM, WA – (MyBellinghamNow.com) The Alaskan Chinook salmon may join the Endangered Species list soon.

Wild Fish Conservancy filed a petition to seek federal protection for the “king” salmon species Thursday.

The nonprofit conservation organization says this petition is in response to the severe decline and poor condition of wild Chinook in the state of Alaska.

Currently, most populations of Chinook salmon have been protected by the Endangered Species Act since the 90s.

Alaskan Chinook do not have the same protections afforded to southern populations like that of California, Oregon and Washington.

Meanwhile, Wild Fish Conservancy reported that the Alaskan populations have seen significantly lower numbers than these counterparts.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who manages endangered fish protections will have 90 days to respond to the petition.

To learn more, you can read the full petition.