Whatcom Salmon Recovery


	Q. What is the difference between Atlantic salmon and Pacific salmon? A. The Pacific salmon are of the genus Oncorhynchus and are represented by seven different salmon species. The chinook, chum, coho, pink, and sockeye are species of Pacific salmon that occur on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. The other two species of Pacific salmon, masu and amago, are only found near Asia. Although not salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout are also categorized under the Oncorhynchus genus based on similar characteristics with Pacific salmon. The Atlantic salmon is actually only one species of the Salmo genus. It is found in the North Atlantic Ocean from Connecticut in the USA, north through Canada, in Greenland and Iceland, throughout Scandinavia and Eastern Russia, and south all the way to Portugal. While all salmon return to their natal stream to spawn, the Atlantic salmon are capable of surviving after spawning, unlike Pacific salmon. Steelhead and cutthroat trout also have the capabilities of surviving after spawning. The Pacific salmon die shortly after spawning. For information on specific dates and locations, visit the WDFW page on fishing regulations or call the WDFW Fishing Hotline at (360) 902-2500.