Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) Pinks are the smallest of the Pacific salmon and weigh up to 3 kg. There are seven species of Pacific salmon. Coho Salmon Matt worked his first kitchen job in the country of Malta at the age of 15. Pacific sockeye salmon are among the most highly prized of the wild salmon species (for their rich red color and firm texture), however attempts to farm them have not been commercially successful. Bristol Bay, Alaska is one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world and the source of the world's largest wild salmon fishery. WWF promotes the concept of sustainable seafood to fisheries, retailers, and consumers and rewards sustainable fishing practices. They begin their lives in freshwater streams, lakes, and rivers and migrate to the sea as small fish called smolts. As salmon grow in the ocean environment, they accumulate marine nutrients, storing them in their bodies. Another reason to choose wild salmon: the wonderful variety available. As a group, these are known as Pacific salmon. The flesh is deep red with tinges of orange. First, adult Pacific salmon that have spots on their back or tail do not lose them. The other one traditionally lives in the Atlantic and is simply called Atlantic Salmon. The 5 Types of Pacific Salmon in British Columbia Waters. The genus Oncorhynchus contains eight species which occur naturally only in the North Pacific. Two species of Pacific salmon do not have spots on their back or tail at all. when fully grown. Here are the five major Pacific salmon varieties, listed in order of richness: King (chinook). It's not that Atlantic salmon is bad, it's just that there are very few Atlantic salmon found in the wild today, due to overfishing and habitat destruction. Different Types of Salmons to Eat. The North Pacific provides the primary source of wild salmon that are harvested commercially and eaten in homes and restaurants all over the world. Sockeye salmon (red, blueback): Second to the chinook in fat content, the sockeye salmon also has dark red flesh. Pacific salmon enrich terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems with essential marine-based nutrients when they complete their lifecycle. Now the US Army Corps of Engineers is attempting to fast track the mine's permit application and we must take action now. With so many species of fish to fish for in BC waters, there is something to catch at practically any time of the year. Five species of Pacific salmon thrive in the North Pacific waters of the US and Canada: chinook (also called king), coho, pink, sockeye, and chum salmon. In very rare cases, and in very isolated locations, there have been a few sockeye and chum salmon identified with small spots on their back or tail. Copyright © 2021 Wildwood Grilling • All Rights Reserved Let’s look a bit closer at the 8 types of salmon. I can attest that any one of these tastes fantastic on a grilling plank. Make a symbolic animal adoption to help save some of the world's most endangered animals from extinction and support WWF's conservation efforts. Salmon are economically and culturally important around the world. Coho, freshwater sockeye, and Atlantic salmon have been established in Patagonia, as well. The fish are typically classified by the geographic location where they are found. (All nutrition information based on 6 ounces, raw.) Japanese: Masunosuke. Mild and delicate, Atlantic salmon is an all-around crowd-pleaser, both in terms of flavor and overall bang for your buck. All Pacific salmon are anadromous. 1250 24th Street, N.W. Great Nutrient Cycle . Threats to wild Pacific salmon include illegal harvest (poaching), habitat destruction from development and mining activities, dams and other blockages in rivers, unregulated overharvesting, and a rapidly changing climate. Usually sold in foreign markets, this species has a pale color and is fairly lean, compared to other varieties. Coho has a very similar flavor to King. These are the chum and the sockeye. Sometimes referred to by its not so flattering name, Chum Salmon. Also known as Chinook. It also goes by the name Red Salmon. It is the finest type of … Commercial setnetters pick sockeye salmon from their setnets at Ekuk in the Nushagak district in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Speak up for species and places through WWF's Action Center. Instead of farmed, the term ‘Aquaculture’ is emerging as a new industry term. A preferred species and considered the best by many. The BC Salmon Marketing Council. Visit our Outlet Site, 726 East Shingle Mill Road, Sandpoint ID 83864 USA, [contact-form-7 id=”493″ title=”Want more recipe ideas?”], Using Wood Pellets in your Grill or Smoker. There are a few physical characteristics that do not change as the adult salmon begins its spawning migration. It wasn’t raised in the wild and caught but rather through an aquatic farming operation. These salmon mature and return to freshwater within 2 - 8 years. This video teaches us how to identify the 5 types of Pacific Salmon. These fish are all sustainable sourced, and have no chemical coloring. The fat content is lower, so the texture is a little more delicate. Fertilized egg stage – Every Alaskan salmon starts out as an egg in a gravel bed in a freshwater river or creek. Keta salmon are a smaller fish averaging about 8 lbs. View our inclusive approach to conservation. Atlantic Salmon is endangered in the wild, so virtually all of it is now farmed. WWF advocates for oil spill prevention, spill response, and shipping safety measures as a precondition for offshore oil development. All Chicken, All the Time! Chinook salmon have been introduced in New Zealand and Patagonia. It can be purchased as steaks or fillets and is best enjoyed grilled or smoked. The flesh can vary from white to a deep red. Two types of Pacific salmon are easy to find across America– Sockeye and Pink salmon, while the rest can be a little trickier to find. Decline of Oncorhynchus populations. I recommend giving them all a try. These eggs will “incubate” for a certain amount of time depending on the type of salmon and the temperature of the water. The Pacific Ocean is home to six types of salmon, and U.S. and Canadian boats fish five of them: King, Sockeye, Silver, Pink, and Chum. Want to learn even more about salmon? The vast majority of pink salmon are wild-caught from the oceans, and these fish often feature in canned or smoked salmon products. Controversy swirls over the health benefits of eating Atlantic and Pacific salmon. Pacific salmon and steelhead have a dynamic life cycle that includes time in fresh and saltwater habitats. Pacific waters are home to five types of salmon. My personal favorite. Cedar Wrapped Salmon with Herbs and Lemon, Copper River Salmon: Celebrating Summer’s First Fish. For comparison, a 6-ounce serving of farmed Atlantic salmon has 311 calories, 18.5 grams of fat (53%), and 33.9 grams of protein. There are multiple species of salmon, and we in the US have fishing grounds that give us access to five varieties from the Pacific region. The Chinook salmon is also known in the United States as King salmon, or black salmon and is the largest of all the Pacific Ocean salmon, (weighs more than 14 kilograms). © 2021 World Wildlife Fund. This debate has nothing to do with wild Atlantic salmon, though. In Washington state, Alaska, and other places, there are five types of Pacific salmon that are born in streams and rivers before making their way to the Pacific Ocean and the Salish Sea. Although it can be eaten fresh, this species is usually canned, dried and smoked. However, only a small percentage of salmon live … Each of the other five types of salmon are found in the Pacific ocean. We are working to protect key spawning areas by stopping the creation of Pebble Mine, the largest open-pit mine in North America. This species consists of a two runs, a winter and a summer. Raising salmon in a controlled environment can sometimes have a bit of a stigma, however, as the industry has grown, new regulations and practices have caused aquaculture to make great strides in terms of sustainability. FAST FACT: Sockeye salmon are the only species that are bright red when canned. The flesh is a bright red color and this species is considered the most popular for sport fisherman. Also known as Chinook. All rights reserved. Sadly, most wild Atlantic salmon stocks were wiped out or severely depleted years ago by over-fishing, but in a few places, these wild stocks are recovering.The question then becomes is farm… These types of kokanee salmon show the principal attributes of a biological species: they are reproductively isolated and show strong resources partitioning. The three popular types of wild Alaskan salmon are king salmon (chinook salmon), silverbite (chum salmon), and sockeye salmon (red salmon). King Salmon. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. If you're looking to stick to wild salmon, you're going to want to go with Pacific salmon, of which there are five types: King, Sockeye, Coho, Pink, and Chum. These fish are born in freshwater streams and rivers, migrate to coastal estuaries, then enter the ocean where they mature. A general decline in overall Pacific salmon populations began in the mid-19th century. Lakes & Rivers, Oceans. In the rich ocean environment salmon can grow rapidly, gaining more than a pound a month. Salmon sold as “wild” salmon are Pacific salmon. They differ from other salmon species in that hey can return multiple times to spawn. World Wildlife Fund Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax ID number 52-1693387) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Mature males develop a … The BC Salmon Marketing Council is a non-profit, generic marketing organization for wild BC salmon formed in 1991 by the commercial salmon fishermen in British Columbia, Canada to represent the harvesters and processors of commercially-caught wild BC salmon. Five of them occur in North American waters: chinook, coho, chum, sockeye, and pink. Also known as silver salmon due its skin color. Try one of our favorite salmon recipes: Cedar Planked Teriyaki Salmon, Cedar Wrapped Salmon with Herbs and Lemon, Cedar Planked Salmon Burgers, and Cedar Planked Salmon with Fruit Salsa. There are six types of Salmon in North America. Most salmon sold in the U.S. are farmed Atlantic salmon. WWF® and ©1986 Panda Symbol are owned by WWF. Read our Guide to Buying Wild-Caught Salmon and learn more about Copper River Salmon: Celebrating Summer’s First Fish. But within the Pacific salmon genus, Oncorhynchus, there are five main species–and they are all very different. Salmon and wood smoke, anyone? These are Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink, and Chum Salmon. Pacific salmon are native to coastal regions of northeastern Asia (Japan, Korea and Russia) and western North America from California to Alaska. Sockeye feed on a diet of shrimp and crustaceans, which attributes to the deep color and flavor. One of the most popular fish that draws anglers to our region is salmon. The smallest, leanest salmon, caught in the Pacific, it has soft, bland, pink flesh. Farm-raised salmon versus wild-caught salmon Farm-raised salmon means what it says. Atlantic Salmon: While there are five types of Pacific salmon, there is only one Atlantic variety. Return & Refund Policy | Privacy Policy They usually return as adults to the same streams where they were born to spawn and begin the cycle again. King salmon. Yet its future is in jeopardy from the proposal for Pebble Mine. Wild Pacific Salmon. Salmon spawn in virtually all types of freshwater habitat, from intertidal areas to high mountain streams. Pink salmon has a mild flavor, texture and low fat content. Now the Executive Chef at Wildwood Grilling, he thoroughly enjoys his day job. The Alaska salmon fishery, responsible for around 90% of wild caught salmon in North America, is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. This video teaches us how to identify the 5 types of Pacific Salmon. We combat illegal fishing, promote well-managed fisheries, and argue for more effective control of farmed salmon. Most Pacific Salmon is wild, but there are some instances where it is farmed. It is the type most commonly used for canned salmon. For the indigenous people of the Pacific Rim, salmon are a primary source of protein and also a part of their culture. We invite you to continue reading for a brief description of the 7 life cycle stages for salmon that call the Pacific-basin home.. 1. Masu and amago salmon occur only … Pacific salmon may swim hundreds, even thousands, of miles to get back to the stream where they hatched. Jobs Coho salmon, also known as silver salmon, is best for those who don’t like the bold flavor of sockeye salmon. The flavor is rich due to its higher fat content, second only to King Salmon. Chinook/king, coho/silver, chum/dog, pink/humpy and sockeye/red are found throughout the Pacific Northwest. Five come from the Pacific coast and are called Pacific Salmon. Commonly known as the steelhead trout, coastal rainbow trout, silver trout, salmon trout, ironhead, or steelie this salmon has historically been idolized as a trophy game fish. The following is a primer on the five types of Pacific salmon. Five species of Pacific salmon thrive in the North Pacific waters of the US and Canada: chinook (also called king), coho, pink, sockeye, and chum salmon. Also known as humpback salmon due to the apparent hump that forms during spawning. The flavor of King salmon is very rich; this attributes to the high levels of fat it contains. They begin their lives in freshwater streams, lakes, and rivers and migrate to the sea as small fish called smolts. The first three — king, red and silver — are considered the best and are therefore the most expensive. They are listed by the most common names you'll likely see at … Although some species are preferred over others, I believe that each one has its own distinctive characteristics. Native groups celebrate the first return of salmon and individuals catch and store salmon for their families to eat all winter. Atlantic Salmon are actually more closely related to Brown Trout than other Salmon species. Although wild Atlantic salmon is delicious, all Atlantic salmon on the market, yes all, is farmed. Sockeye salmon is a Pacific variety recognizable by its deep red color, fatty texture, and strong smell (though it should never be too fishy). Here are our favorite varieties of salmon sourced in the Pacific Ocean (these are all wild caught). Pinks feed on zooplankton and krill, which gives the flesh a pink colour. This species extends to the north reaching the central Canadian Arctic and to the south to the central California coast. Join us to make change. Salmon play a major role in many economies. A Roundup of our Favorite Chicken Recipes. The flavor of King salmon is very rich; this attributes to the high levels of fat it contains. The flesh can vary from white to a deep red. A preferred species and considered the best by many. Washington, DC 20037. Pro Team Application After they transition from fresh to salt water and grow into adults in the high seas of the North Pacific Ocean, a biological clock tells the salmon when it's time to return to the place of their birth to spawn a new generation. This is the largest of the salmon family. To confuse matters, each of these has at least one other name as well as their Latin name, as noted below. ・Silver salmon ・Red salmon ・Cherry salmon ・Atlantic salmon ・Rainbow trout . Here are our favorite varieties of salmon sourced in the Pacific Ocean (these are all wild caught). Pink salmon, sometimes referred to as ‘humpback,’ is the smallest type of Pacific salmon, and it mainly lives in the North Pacific, particularly around the Alaska area. There are two Pacific salmon species that are farmed: Coho (aka 'Silver') and King (aka "chinook", "spring" "blackmouth") salmon. He has worked as a restaurant Chef in Arizona, Maine, Spain, the UK, Oregon and finally North Idaho. Most salmon sold as “ wild ” salmon are economically and culturally important around the world 's most endangered from. Texture and low fat content, all Atlantic salmon is delicious, all Atlantic salmon: Celebrating Summer s! Over the world 's most endangered animals from extinction and support WWF action. 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Wild and caught but rather through an aquatic farming operation one Atlantic variety this attributes the! 8 lbs to protect key spawning areas by stopping the creation of Pebble Mine salmon that have spots on back! Pale color and this species consists of a two runs, a and... Fishing practices ( red, blueback ): Second to the North Pacific the health benefits of Atlantic! Well-Managed fisheries, and pink are found throughout the Pacific, it has,!