SALMON: ARE THEY COMING OR GOING?

Secret Life of Salmon

Secret life of salmon• Most are anadromous (fish that spend all or part of their adult life in salt water and return to

freshwater streams & rivers to spawn)

• Require water of superb quality, specific depth,temperature and flow speeds

• Species mature between 2-7 years and aggregate to spawn

• Don’t interbreed with other populations• Found in N. Pacific from California to Alaska and

Siberia to Japan• Largest Salmon- Chinook 10-50lbs.• Keystone Species-important food source for wild life• Has survive over 2 million years

BIODIVERSITY OF SALMON SPECIES

Pacific

Chum

Coho Chinook

Pink

Sockeye

LIFE CYCLE

FEATURES

CHINOOK

Chum

COHO

Sockeye

Pink/Humpback

Kokanee

SIZE AND SPOT COMPARISON

Location of Tags on Salmon

Tagging Salmon

Causes of decline in Salmon population

• Fresh water habitat destruction• Climate change• Overfishing• Agriculture and increase in erosion• Mining, Logging• Water Diversion• Road building• Urbanization• Key Factor –DAMS• Nonindigenous plants and animals• Pesticide Runoff from agriculture

DAMS

Impact of dams on salmon1. degrades water quality

2. alters waters flow pattern3. alters food web4.fragments habitats5. prevents migration from spaw

Storm water impact on Salmon

How you can help Salmon!

• Make wise choices with yard care. • e.g. carefully choose pesticides, herbicides,

insecticides and fertilizers (avoid excess application)

• Avoid using impermeable materials for paving and side walks.

• Use of water should be selective. Use rain barrels, water when sun sets, use sprinklers

• Avoid soil erosion buy keeping soil covered

HELP SALMON!!

RESOURCES

• www.Kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants• www.wdfw.wa.gov/outreach/fishing/salmon.htm• www.blueoceaninstitute.org• www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/the-salmon-life-cycles.htm• Significance of Salmon/Natural Connections/ISBN 1-59458-

426-5/Bull Frog Films/copyright 1999.