Salmoniformes or otherwise known as Salmon live in the Atlantic and North Pacific oceans and can sometimes be found swimming in the Great Lakes. Most salmon are anadromous, meaning they are born in freshwater, migrate to the sea, and return to freshwater to reproduce. Young salmon eat insects, invertebrates and plankton, while adults eat other fish, squid, eels and shrimp. They also break down nitrogen, providing 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 Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Most of these species maintain one color when living in saltwater, then change color when found in spawning grounds that are in freshwater. Sockeye salmon are blue with some silver tones when in the ocean, but when in spawning grounds they have a red body and green head. Popular species of salmon 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 has long been respected, not only as a food source but also as a spiritual being that should not be overharvested or wasted. Salmon had thrived in spawning areas in the Columbia, Garcia, Connecticut rivers 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. This tradition of sustainable salmon harvesting began many years ago, but came to an abrupt end when Europeans began intensive commercial fishing along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. By the early 1800s, Atlantic salmon numbers had declined so much that fish hatcheries were built in an attempt to sustain populations. Populations in the Atlantic Ocean and parts of the Pacific, as well as in rivers, have declined dramatically from before. For example, in the Colorado River, salmon numbers are down to 3 percent of what they were during Lewis and Clark's time. Salmon runs along the West Coast were greatly affected by the onset of industrialization, with high demands for fish to feed gold miners. during the California Gold Rush. Sediment from the mines could run off and would have a huge effect on the health of salmon streams. By 1900, salmon shipments to Washington and Oregon were beginning to decline. In the decades since, fish traps, overfishing for canneries, logging, mining, dams and other habitat changes have taken a toll on the once-prolific salmon. Salmon have declined because of the dams. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Although there are many threats to salmon today, there are still potential solutions that can resolve the effects of humans on the salmon population. If we can create a way for salmon to pass through part of the dam, they will still be able to migrate upstream. This way the dams can continue to produce electricity and the salmon are still able to reach the.