Pacific Salmon Species Overview Posters

Chum Salmon A.K.A. “Dog Salmon” / Oncorhynchus keta elongated kipe (snout) red/black tiger stripe pattern large protruding dog-like teeth average weight: 3.5kg Chum salmon are among the largest of the five Pacific salmon species that spawn here on the B.C. coast, second in size only to Chinook. Individuals can weigh average length: 61cm anywhere from 8 to fi�teen pounds and grow up to 3.6 feet (43.2 inches). During the spawning phase chum salmon change quite drastically. Both males life cycle: 4 years and females experience a dramatic change in appearance when returning to freshwater, developing a tiger pattern of red and black stripes. One of the most migration distance: long prominent and interesting physical changes occurs in the males. These chum grow an elongated snout or “kipe” with large protruding dog-like teeth. Some research- health: medium/high risk* ers have speculated that this characteristic is used to compete with other males for mates. This, in combination with the fact that chum are o�ten fed to sled dogs in *Current federal resourcing is insu�ficient to adequately track the health of most chum salmon populations the north, makes the nickname of dog fish or silverbite easy to understand. spawning juvenile stage common and river During the fry stage of their lifecycle, chum predators develop dark lines or markings to preference A common predator of chum camou�lage themselves from predators in salmon are black bears. Not Chum are the last of the five freshwater streams as they out-migrate. known to be the pickiest of Pacific salmon species to return Measuring in at just a few centimetres, eaters, black bears will consume to the creeks and rivers of the they typically prey on insect larvae as well almost anything available to Great Bear Rainforest to as plankton. Like other species of fry, young them. In the fall, salmon make reproduce, with the seasonal chum absorb information about their birth up a critical portion of their diet peak in spawning taking place in streams, imprinting on key characteristics before winter. When wild chum late autumn. Similar to pinks, including temperature, water �low, and conservation status are more abundant and available they usually prefer smaller, gravel size. By retaining this knowledge, in streams, bears o�ten choose calmer streams and intertidal most adult chum (along with other salmon and economics carcasses and eat selective parts, zones to avoid overcoming river species) will be able to navigate back to the Just as is the case with pink salmon, chum are an sometimes opting to just bite o�f obstacles and powerful falls. same place for spawning a�ter spending important fishery throughout their range, bringing the head in order to eat fat-rich years growing in the ocean. At the time of spawning, chums in millions of dollars to the Canadian economy each brains. They’ve also been known will be about three or four years In comparison to other salmon species, year. However, a downward trend has been shown in to target females to feast on old. It's at this phase that a chum fry are known to make a beeline for Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s preliminary catch their energy-packed eggs. dramatic shi�t in their appear- the ocean, migrating more quickly to statistics for the past few years. Sea wolves have also been ance also takes place, with bold marine waters, soon a�ter they are born. In known to feast on chum vertical red and black stripes the spring, these little fry commonly value of preliminary catch regularly. In fact, some studies lining their sides. Females will swarm together with juvenile pink salmon have shown that salmon make typically lay upwards of 3,000 to form huge schools before exiting river 2016: $20 million up about 20% of their diet. eggs for fertilization. A�ter this, mouths into ocean shorelines. During this Similar to bears, these wolves having completed their lifecycle, time of year, fry are a common food source 2017: $16 million have been known to target the all chum salmon die. Each for predators like seabirds which can be heads of salmon, opting to individual only spawns one time seen circling river mouths in �locks 2018: $7m consume the brains over other in its entire life. thousands-strong to feast. parts of the fish. pacific salmon species spotlight · #1/5 #SalmonCount · PacificWild.org Pink Salmon A.K.A. “Humpie” / Oncorhynchus gorbuscha large oval humped back spots Despite being the most prolific of the five Pacific salmon species, pinks are by far the average weight: 2kg least revered by recreational fishermen. This is likely due to their small size and great abundance. As is o�ten the case with species of fish that are found in larger numbers, average length: 40.5cm great abundance has translated to great underappreciation for pinks. However, there’s so much to love about these little salmon! life cycle: 2 years Nicknamed “humpies”, due to the humped back males develop when spawning, this migration distance: medium salmon species gets its common name from the light pink colouring of its �lesh. With a short lifespan of only two years, pinks return to the coast in late summer to repro- health: medium risk* duce. In doing so, they partake in long migrations, sometimes far inland, in freshwater rivers to a preferred spawning area. Extraordinarily, while they tend to mix in with *Current federal resourcing is insu�ficient to adequately larger populations during their time at sea, each individual pink returns to spawn in track the health of most pink salmon populations the river where it first hatched — truly �lexing some powerful navigational prowess. spawning and ecosystem role economics conservation river preference As the most abundant species of wild Pink salmon are an important fishery species status salmon on the B.C. coast, pink salmon throughout their range, with tens of millions of Pinks speedily migrate to the ocean immedi- The smallest of B.C.’s wild salmon species, provide a massive delivery of nutrients to individuals caught by net fisheries each year. Here on ately a�ter hatching, spending the least amount pink salmon are also the most highly rainforest ecosystems. During the oceanic the B.C. coast, pink salmon fisheries bring in millions of time in freshwater when compared to the abundant and considered by many to be component of their lives, they are an annually. However, commercial catches for pinks have other species. Once entering saltwater, they the least vulnerable to extinction. important prey for species like Steller sea gone down dramatically over the past number of years. gather in schools and remain in estuaries close However, recent low pink returns in certain lions and killer whales. As they return to to shore. As they grow, they begin spending areas of the coast have highlighted a need rivers and creeks to spawn, they also provide time feeding in deeper, o�fshore waters. value of preliminary catch for stronger management and monitoring. an important source of nutrients for from 2014-2018 (Source: DFO) With a lifespan of just two years, the shortest of numerous species that inhabit B.C.’s coastal In a 2019 report published by Watershed the B.C. salmon, pinks mature and grow faster watersheds. Bears, birds, wolves and $4m Watch, numerous concerns related to countless other terrestrial creatures depend than any other species. Their short, predictable $3m salmon returns from the previous year life cycle has created two distinct populations on pinks to sustain themselves before harsh (2018) were highlighted. It was an abysmal $2m here in B.C.. Depending on the year, pink Canadian winters. year with once abundant wild salmon runs salmon can be found in large numbers between $1m coming back in shockingly low numbers Did you know, trees found along the rivers of July and September. They return every year, $0 across all of the species, leading to the Great Bear Rainforest rely on dead 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 with larger numbers in odd years on the south fisheries closures. Along the central and salmon for vital nutrients to help them grow! coast and even years on the north coast. The north coast in areas including Kitkatla, pinks that return in odd years are unrelated to These numbers point to concerns around population Douglas Channel, Princess Royal Island, those returning in even years and will not decline. Although the Department of Fisheries and Bella Bella, Namu, and Bella Coola, the interbreed with each other, even when Oceans (DFO) puts limits on the catch when popula- pink salmon returns were some of the returning to the same spawning grounds. tion levels appear low, this is usually a last-minute lowest on record. In many locations, there response whereas utilizing methods to conserve native were no fisheries at all. The report found, Most o�ten, pinks are found migrating to spawn species like increased monitoring, habitat preservation “Skeena pink returns continue to be up shallower, calmer creeks and rivers because would be more e�fective in addressing the root cause terrible. They are now only a fraction of they cannot jump as high as larger coho or of said declines.This lack of foresight is putting pinks their escapement goal. It is almost chinook salmon. and our salmon economy at risk. inconceivable, but DFO continued to allow fisheries on this depleted population.” pacific salmon species spotlight · #2/5 #SalmonCount · PacificWild.org Coho Salmon A.K.A. “Silver Salmon” / Oncorhynchus kisutch elongated greensh hooked snout dark spots head red/maroon colour average weight: 3.75kg Coho salmon are one of the most highly abundant and adaptable of the five Pacific salmon species that return to the B.C.

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