By Lawrence G Watkins V
Among the incredible migrations on Earth, the journey of the Salmon stands out for its endurance and scale
Each autumn, seasonal rains swell the rivers, streams, and creeks of the Pacific Northwest. But it’s not just rain that stirs these waters; they come alive with the movement of Salmon.
Tucked in the northwesternmost corner of the United States is an impressive waterway known as the Puget Sound, a massive body of water formed by saltwater canals reaching into Washington State. Locals will tell you that, in autumn, the rivers come alive with Salmon.
Spend an autumn afternoon by an active waterway, and from afar, you may hear splashing that initially sounds startling. Then, as you move closer, the sound is absorbed by the moss-covered trees and towering ferns carpeting the forest floor. This sound is coming from none other than the Chum Salmon. The Chum Salmon is one of the Five Salmon species that frequent these waters and has the largest range among any pacific going Salmon. This means you can find these fish all along the Western Coast of the United States and Canada, reaching as far north as Alaska. This wide-ranging habitat means that Chum are adapted to saltwater and freshwater environments, playing a crucial ecological role across this entire span.
The Chum Salmon’s life begins in these very shallow waters, where mature fish gather to spawn. Here, males seek females whose eggs they can fertilize, initiating a new generation. It is in these waterways that are no deeper than your shins that their fertilized eggs mature and grow into Fry before they are swept downstream and eventually into the ocean where they will spend a large portion of their life feeding on zooplankton before they return to these same waterways Scientists believe that Chum Salmon use Earth’s magnetic field as a compass, guiding them back across thousands of miles to the precise streams where they were born. This is when the real challenge begins.
In their home streams these fish can be identified by either male or female by their unique markings and coloration. Male Chum Salmon sport bold, tiger-like vertical stripes, while females are distinguished by a dark stripe running horizontally along their sides.
In their final days, Chum Salmon stop eating, entering a phase often called the ‘zombie fish’ stage. Their bodies, visibly deteriorating with pale patches and decaying flesh, illustrate the toll of their journey. These fish, even as they weaken, bring vital nutrients to the riverbanks that sustain the surrounding ecosystem.
If they do not find a suitable place to lay their eggs or suitable eggs to fertilize, these fish will completely deplete their energy reserves, returning to the ecosystem around them. At the end of the Salmon run, the riverbanks are lined with their spent bodies—a final sacrifice that returns vital nutrients to the ecosystem, fueling new growth for the forest and the rivers.
About The Author
Lawrence G Watkins V is an underwater photographer who’s passionate about capturing the beauty of marine life. He developed a love for the outdoors in the Rocky Mountains, but his journey into underwater photography began in Hawaii in 2018, where he defeated his fear of water and became a certified diver. His devotion grew with every dive, taking him from Indonesia to Australia and eventually leading him to settle in South Florida. Now, he’s not only a professional photographer capturing stunning images at locations like the Blue Heron Bridge but also a respected product tester and gear professional at Reef Photo and Video. His work has been featured in major publications like Forbes and Scuba Diving Magazine, and he’s actively involved with organizations like the International SeaKeepers Society.
Follow more of his work on his Webpage, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube Channel.