Salmon is the common name for several species of fish of the Salmonidae family which also includes trout. Chinook, chum, coho, sockeye, pink and Atlantic salmon are the sport fishing target species. Several salmon species live in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Salmon are anadromous which means they are born in freshwater, migrate to the ocean, then return to fresh water to reproduce. According to folklore these fish return to the exact spot where they were born to spawn and modern research indicates that generally at least 90% of the fish spawning in a stream were indeed born there. In Alaska, salmon cross over to other streams allowing them to populate new waters, such as those that emerge as a glacier retreats. How they navigate is still a mystery, though their keen sense of smell seems to be involved. The mature individuals of all Pacific salmon species die within a few weeks of spawning.
Coastal dwellers have long held the salmon in high esteem giving it a central role in folklore and community rituals. Most inhabitants of the Northern Pacific shores held a ceremony honoring the first return each year. For many centuries, salmon were a vital food source to these people and were caught by spear fishing as they swam upriver.
Now, salmon are caught in bays and near shore commercially. Except off the coast of Ireland, long drift net fisheries have been banned on the high seas. Both Atlantic and Pacific Salmon are highly sought after by sport fisherman throughout the world.
Also see
Chinook Salmon
Red Salmon
Pink Salmon
Coho Salmon
Chum Salmon
Cherry Salmon
Atlantic Salmon
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