Final answer:
Archaic Northwest peoples relied heavily on coastal fisheries, particularly salmon and halibut, for sustenance and trade, which supported the development of complex societies and permanent settlements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Archaic Northwest peoples took significant advantage of the coastal fisheries for sustenance and for trade. The answer to this question is: b. Coastal fisheries for fish and shellfish. The climate of the Northwest coastal region was mild and allowed for an abundance of natural resources, especially from the ocean. Salmon fishing was particularly important, and salmon became a key part of the cosmology for groups such as the Tlingit and Haida. These societies were hunter-gatherers who built permanent structures and formed large villages due to the constant supply of resources.
Halibut was another staple, and the ability to preserve fish like salmon through drying meant these peoples could store food for long periods. They also developed advanced toolmaking, using resources like bone and wood to create items such as harpoons, canoes, and fishhooks. This wealth of resources and established fishing techniques made the coastal fisheries crucial to their way of life, making it an essential element for both their survival and their complex social structures.