Salmoniforms or otherwise known as salmon live in the North Atlantic and Pacific oceans and can sometimes be found swimming in the Great Lakes. The majority of salmon are anadromous, meaning they are born in fresh water, migrate to the sea, and return to fresh water to reproduce. Young salmon feed on insects, invertebrates and plankton, while adults eat other fish, squid, eels and shrimp. They also break down nitrogen and provide it to the plants and animals around them. The appearance of salmon can vary greatly from species to species. Species like coho salmon have a metallic blue dorsal fin, while some have black spots on their sides, like Atlantic salmon. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay Most of these species maintain one color when living in saltwater, then change color when on freshwater spawning grounds. Sockeye salmon are blue with some silver when in the ocean, but when on spawning grounds they have a red body and green head. Popular salmon species in the United States are Chinook, Coho, Atlantic, and Sockeye salmon. Salmon has been an effective resource for many years. Native Americans centered their lives around the annual arrival of salmon and honored these fish in their cultural traditions. Salmon have long been respected, not only as a food source, but also as a spiritual being that should not be overexploited or wasted. Salmon had thrived in the spawning grounds of the Columbia River, Garcia River, Connecticut River and many others. There were between 10 and 12 million salmon in eastern North America. They have been preserved through fishing methods and practices that protect the health of salmon runs. This tradition of sustainable salmon harvesting began many years ago, but ended abruptly when Europeans began intensive commercial fishing along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. By the early 1800s, Atlantic salmon numbers had declined so much that hatcheries were built in an effort to bolster populations. Populations in the Atlantic Ocean and parts of the Pacific, as well as rivers, have declined dramatically from what they used to be. For example, in the Colorado River, salmon numbers have fallen to 3% of what they were in Lewis and Clark's time. Salmon migrations along the west coast were greatly affected during the early stages of industrialization, with a high demand for fish to feed the gold miners. during the California Gold Rush. Sediment from mines could flow and have a significant effect on the health of salmon streams. By 1900, salmon runs in Washington and Oregon were beginning to decline. In the decades since, fish traps, overfishing for canneries, clearcutting, mining, dams, and other habitat modifications have all had enormous consequences on salmon runs. once prolific. Salmon have declined because of dams. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Although there are many threats facing salmon today, there are still potential solutions that can address the effects of humans. on the population of..