Fishing planet alaska chinook11/14/2023 What’s unique is that their young spend two years in the river system before migrating down to the ocean, most salmon only spend one year in the river, this provides the young sockeye salmon with a distinct advantage. Sockeye spend three to five years at sea before they return to spawn, which is common. Sockeye salmon are one of the most abundant salmon in the state and one of the better eating species as well.Īlso called “red salmon” for their brilliantly colored flesh this species is the most widely sought after for table fare and boasts the largest commercial value of all the Pacific Salmon. The salmon all change shapes and colors, their jaws extend to form a “kype” their backs change to form a hump and most species turn from silver to some shade of red. Most salmon at sea will appear flawless and shine like a mirror, once they enter the rivers their bodies start to shut down and focus internal efforts on maturing reproductive organs. These anadromous salmon undergo an extreme metamorphosis once they enter the rivers from the ocean, some species unrecognizable after time in the freshwater rivers. There are 5 species of Pacific Salmon, all of which are present in the state of Alaska and have been termed “anadromous” meaning they migrate from salt water into freshwater to spawn. The local food chain is incredibly dependent upon the return of these fish, all organisms including humans, thrive in these areas because of the salmon and nutrients they bring up from the ocean. Much of Alaska would be nearly sterile if it wasn’t for the nutrients that the salmon attain at sea and bring back for the riparian communities. Trees along rivers containing fish DNA have even gotten a jump start from the nutrients the salmon provide, trees up to 50 yards away from rivers have been documented incorporating salmon DNA into their own. The indigenous people of Alaska have made consuming salmon their way of life and catching them a major part of their ancestral heritage. Not only do the salmon return every year but so do all of the animals and people that rely on these fish as a way of life and major source of protein.
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