salmon, originally, the large fish now usually called the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), though more recently the name has been applied to similar fishes of the same family (Salmonidae), especially the Pacific salmon, which constitute the genus Oncorhynchus.
The adult Atlantic salmon averages about 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in weight, while the king salmon averages about 23 pounds (10 kg), though individuals of 50–80 pounds (22–36 kg) are not uncommon. Chum salmon average about 10–12 pounds (4.5–5.5 kg); coho salmon weigh about 7–10 pounds (3–4.5 kg); sockeye, about 4–7 pounds (2–3 kg); and pink salmon, 3–6 pounds (1.3–2.7 kg).
Pacific salmon live most of their life in the ocean, but as adults they return to the stream where they hatched in order to spawn. They use their olfactory senses (their sense of smell) to find their spawning grounds in their home river, and at least one species, the sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), can also sense differences in Earth’s magnetic field to navigate back to its home stream from the open ocean. The female digs a pit in the stream gravel into which she and a male spawn simultaneously, and she then covers up the eggs with gravel. Adult Pacific salmon die soon after spawning, but many Atlantic salmon return to the sea and after one or two years in open waters may spawn again, some up to three or four times. Most salmon spawning takes place in late summer or fall, and the eggs usually hatch in late winter. Incubation rates depend on temperature, taking from 60 up to 200 days. After hatching, the salmon fry consume the yolk in the attached sac before wriggling up through the gravel to seek food. Young pink salmon descend almost immediately to the sea, while chum salmon leave in a few weeks. Coho salmon remain an entire year in the streams, while young king and Atlantic salmon may remain feeding in streams for one to three or more years. Young sockeye salmon dwell for one to five years in lakes before migrating seaward.
On December 18, 2018, the Endangered Salmon Predation Protection Act passed with bipartisan support. This law will likely have positive long term effects on the populations of salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon. Fish and wildlife scientists predicted that there is an extremely high likelihood that if the sea lion’s numbers continued to go unchecked, at least one of the steelhead’s runs will go extinct. Beyond that, dwindling salmon populations have also led to serious concern about Orca populations. Orcas are a threatened species that rely on salmon as a major food source. By protecting the endangered salmon populations, they are also protecting local orca populations.
Salmon are silvery-sided fishes while in the ocean, but during the breeding season a change in coloration occurs that varies from one species to another. The males generally develop hooked jaws. The changes are most striking in male Pacific salmon. Adults run upriver in spring or fall and take no food, although they will strike at fishing lures. The spawning grounds may be close to the sea, but the king and chum salmon swim more than 2,000 miles (3,200 km) up the Yukon River to spawn in its headwaters. The migrating salmon, impelled by instinct, fight rapids and leap high falls until they reach their spawning grounds. Even landlocked salmon, which mature in deep lakes, ascend tributary streams to spawn.
Atlantic salmon, though fished commercially in certain areas, are valued chiefly as sport fish. They are farmed in fish pens in many parts of the world. The king and coho salmon are prized sport fish in the larger rivers of the Pacific coast. The commercial fishery of Pacific salmon nets millions of pounds annually, of which nearly half is pink salmon, one-third is chum salmon, and most of the remainder is sockeye.
Salmon is one of the best sources of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Unlike most other fats, omega-3 fats are considered “essential,” meaning you must get them from your diet since your body cannot create them.
EPA and DHA have been credited with several impressive health benefits, such as decreasing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of cancer, and improving the function of the cells that line your arteries
One review of 22 studies found that using an EPA and DHA supplement consistently could significantly improve arterial function, especially in people who smoke, are overweight, or have high cholesterol levels or metabolic syndrome
As for how much fish to eat, consuming at least two servings of salmon per week can help meet your omega-3 fatty acid needs.
Bring the salmon to room temperature 10 minutes before cooking.
Warm a large nonstick skillet with oil over medium-low heat. Season the fish with salt and pepper. Raise the heat to medium-high. Place the salmon, skin-side up in the pan. Cook until golden brown on 1 side, about 4 minutes. Turn the fish over with a spatula, and cook until it feels firm to the touch and the skin is crisp if desired, about 3 minutes more.
The skin can be served or removed easily with a knife or spoon.
Transfer to a plate and serve as desired.
Serving suggestions: honey mustard, horseradish mashed potatoes, mesclun greens.
