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Sockeye Salmon

Sockeye salmon are known for their dynamic color changes! As fry they are green with black spots, but as they grow, they turn blue and silver. But that’s not all – once these fish reach reproductive age, their coloring changes again, this time brightening to bright red with a green head!

 

The sockeye salmon is native to the Pacific Ocean off the Western Coast of North America. They are typically found from Northern Alaska to Northern California, but during mating season they can be found as far inland as Idaho in the United States. Sockeye salmon are born in freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams, and once developed make their way to the ocean for most of their adulthood. These salmon primarily feed on zooplankton, however, they are also known to eat insects and snails when they are young and squid and fishes as adults. Natural predators include bears, seals, sea lions, and birds — like the mew gull. As young, predators also include other fish, like lake trout.

During mating season, they make their way back inland to their natal freshwater grounds to spawn. Here, the males compete for access to females, and the females compete for gravel nesting sites. These fish typically die shortly after spawning and play no role in their offsprings life. Because of this and their natural developmental lifecycle, sockeye salmon generally only live 4-5 years in the wild.

 

 

While the IUCN Red List lists the sockeye salmon as a species of Least Concern, certain subpopulations have struggled.

The conditions of the ocean and river waters these fish depend on are changing, likely due to climate change. These changes can lead to decreased survival rates as well as increased diseases in adults. Additionally, overfishing in mixed-species fisheries has led to declines in some areas as well.

 

 

Oceana campaigns to promote responsible fishing practices and stop overfishing as well as tackle the climate crisis to ensure healthy, abundant oceans where species like the sockeye salmon can thrive for generations to come.

 

 

 

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