When it's time to leave the ocean, as in all salmon species, an internal compass guides these sockeye home. When they begin their journey, the fish change from silver to bright crimson. To prepare for mating battles, the males develop a humped back, hooked jaws, and sharp teeth. By the time they get here, they're pretty beat up. Salmon spend their entire lives facing incredible odds.
Many hurdles found in nature can deliver a quick end for the fish.
But human-induced obstacles can be just as deadly. You don't just lose the fish, you lose, I think in some cases, that psychological link with the land. One thing that people know about the Northwest is that there are salmon and big trees, and that those things are linked together. By visiting this and other King County web pages, you expressly agree to be bound by terms and conditions of the site.