Chapters 3.12

3.12 Coho Salmon

Nathanael Kroesbergen, University of Guelph, Canada

Suggested citation for this chapter.

Kroesbergen,N. (2022) Fish And Freshwater/Marine Invertebrates. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/

Introduction

First scientifically described in 1792, Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is one of the seven recognized species of Pacific salmon. Coho are fished commercially in North America and Asia (Groot et. al, 1991). Coho salmon is also one of the three species of farmed salmon in Canada, along with Atlantic salmon and Chinook salmon (Government of Canada, 2017). Coho salmon has an important place in the diets of many North American First Nations. Silverside, Silver salmon and Blueback are other common names for Coho salmon (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017).

Description

Typical coho salmon range from 61 to 71 cm in length, and weigh between 2.7 and 4.3 kg’s. This places them between the Chinook and Chum salmon on the larger side, and the Pink and Sockeye salmon on the smaller side. Coho salmon usually live in the ocean where they are silver in colour (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). During spawning, the upper jaw of mature Coho salmon elongates, and forms a hooked snout with enlarged teeth. This occurs in both males and females, although on a more extreme scale in males (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2020). The males also develop a bright red streak on their sides during spawning season (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2020). The red colouration on the male coho salmon helps them attract a mate (USDS, 2020).

Nutrition & Health

As with other kinds of salmon, Coho salmon is high in Omega-3 fatty acids (Salmon Facts, 2022). Omega-3 reduces inflammation thereby decreasing the damage of blood vessels in the heart. This reduces the risk of strokes and other heart disease (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2022). Health Canada lists salmon on the list of Omega-3 Rich foods, and they recommend eating 300 to 500mg of Omega-3 fatty acids per day (Gouvernement du Québec, 2021). Coho salmon is also high in vitamin D. Coho salmon has a lower fat and oil content compared to Sockeye salmon (Salmon Facts, 2022). Along with most seafoods, salmon contains small amounts of mercury which was picked up from their environment. Samples taken by the United States FDA had an average 0.022 ppm (parts per million) mercury content for fresh and frozen salmon, while canned salmon had an even lower mercury content (Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 2014). This mercury content places salmon in the “Very Low Mercury” category which is considered safe to eat every day (Ottawa Public Health, 2009).

Association with Indigenous peoples

Salmon has been a central part of Indigenous and First Nations cultures for centuries. Indigenous communities in western Canada are some of the oldest fishing cultures known today. Different groups fished them at different times, although they were most commonly fished from July to October. There were various means used by Indigenous populations for catching coho salmon ranging from various kinds of traps and nets to harpoons with detachable heads. Indigenous fishing methods were designed to maintain salmon populations and prevent overfishing (Garner & Parfitt, 2006). One of the main fishing methods used by Indigenous peoples was the use of weirs. Weirs were made of nets or screens fastened to poles under the water. The water could easily flow through the weir, but the fish got stopped by the weir (Garner & Parfitt, 2006). The fish could then be easily gathered. The fish populations could also be monitored by the number of fish caught by the weir, and Indigenous peoples would adjust the number of fish they took depending on the salmon population (Kirk, 1986). This was done for two reasons, one was to ensure enough fish were allowed through so villages downstream would get enough salmon, and this way the Indigenous peoples could ensure enough salmon got through to spawn so there would be enough fish the next year (Kirk, 1986). Coho salmon were caught for food by various indigenous peoples. Salmon were also traded for other goods between various indigenous groups, as well as with settlers, and the Hudsons Bay Company (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017) (Garner & Parfitt, 2006).

Life cycle

Although coho salmon are anadromous, meaning they can live in both fresh and salt water, they spend most of their life in salt water (Fisheries, 2022). The salmon are born in freshwater rivers, where they spend their first months of their life. The amount of time spent in fresh water varies. Most Coho spend 1 or 2 winters in fresh water, but this differs from year to year and based on geographic location (Sandercock, 1991). Some young males called “jacks” have been found to mature quickly, after only 4 to 6 months in salt water. They then return to spawn in fresh water (Sandercock, 1991). Once the salmon are mature, they return to spawn in the fresh water rivers and streams where they were born (Fisheries, 2022). After spawning is complete, the bodies of both the males and females deteriorate both externally and internally, with the deterioration of fins and skin and sometimes eyesight externally, and the degeneration of organs internally (Sandercock, 1991). Shortly after spawning both the male and female coho die within the next 3 weeks (Sandercock, 1991).

Figure 1 Lifecycle of Coho Salmon (Morales, 2018)

Limitations on Commercial Salmon Fishing

One of the limitations on wild caught Coho salmon is that there is limited stock available to be caught, and the number of fish that may be caught varies each year depending on the estimated population of Coho salmon (Government of Canada, 2022). The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans monitors and Regulates the Coho salmon harvest (Government of Canada, 2017). This can cause variability in the supply and price of Coho salmon. Government issued licenses are also required for commercial fishing of Coho salmon (Government of Canada, 2022). There are also limits on the regions in which commercial fishing is permitted, as some rivers and waterways do not have adequate salmon stock to support commercial fishing (Government of Canada, 2022). To support Indigenous and First Nations communities and cultures, the Government of Canada has fishing licences limited to and designed for First Nations and Indigenous communities (Government of Canada, 2022). These licenses allow First Nations communities to fish for food, social and ceremonial purposes (Government of Canada, 2022). Single species, multi-species, dry rack, and ceremonial licenses are available to First Nations communities (Government of Canada, 2022). The dry rack was a traditional method of air-drying fish (Government of Canada, 2022). This method is still used today along the Fraser River (Government of Canada, 2022). This is another way in which the Canadian government is supporting Indigenous Traditions (Government of Canada, 2022).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Coho salmon have been a major part in the lives of both Indigenous and immigrant Canadians. They have a major role in the rich Indigenous culture as well as the diets of both indigenous and immigrant populations, and if managed properly, they can maintain an important place both culturally and nutritionally, as part of a healthy, balanced diet for years to come.

References

1.Canada, H. (2019, November 27). Mercury in Fish - Questions and Answers.

2.Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. (2014). Mercury levels in commercial fish and shellfish (1990-2012).

3.Fisheries, N. (2022, October 14). Coho Salmon (protected). Retrieved November 9, 2022, from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/coho-salmon-protected

4.Garner, K., & Parfitt, B. (2006). First Nations, Salmon Fisheries and the rising importance of conservation: Report to the Pacific Fisheries Resource

5.Council. Vancouver, BC: Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council.

6.Garner, K., & Parfitt, B. (2006). First Nations, Salmon Fisheries and the Rising Importance of Conservation. Retrieved December 2, 2022, from https://salmonwatersheds.ca/libraryfiles/lib_207.pdf

7. Gouvernement du Québec. (2021). Fish consumption recommendations - fish consumption and health.

8.Government of Canada, F. (2017, March 15). Farmed Salmon.

9.Government of Canada, F. (2022, August 12). First Nations, recreational and commercial salmon licensing. Retrieved November 12, 2022, from https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fmgp/salmon-saumon/licence-permis-eng.html

10.Kirk, R. (1986). The Modern Salmon Dilemma. In Tradition & Change on the Northwest Coast: The Makah, nuu-chah-nulth, Southern kwakiutl, and nuxalk (p. 242). Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press.

11.Mayo Clinic Staff. (2022, April 19). Omega-3 in fish How eating fish helps your heart. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heartdisease/in-depth/omega-3/art-20045614

12.Morales, E. (2018). Coho Salmon Lifecycle [Digital image].

13.Ottawa Public Health. (2009). A Guide to Eating Fish for Women, Children and Families.

14.Pacific Salmon Foundation. (2022, April 29). Coho " Pacific Salmon Foundation. Retrieved November 9, 2022, from https://psf.ca/info/coho/

15. Sandercock, F. (1991). Life History of Coho Salmon. In 2167936079 1492137063 C. Groot & 2167936080 1492137063 L. Margolis (Authors), Pacific Salmon Life Histories (pp. 395445). Vancouver, British Columbia: UBC Press.

16.USDS. (2020). Why do salmon change color and die after they spawn? Retrieved December 1, 2022, from https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-do-salmon-change-color-and-die-after-theyspawn

17.Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. (2020, November 29). Salmon Identification. Retrieved November 8, 2022, from https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/01384/2012-13_marine.pdf