Sockeye Salmon (Protected)
Oncorhynchus nerka
Protection Status
Quick Facts
About the Species
Sockeye salmon are anadromous fish, which means they can live in both fresh and saltwater. They have a relatively complex life history that includes spawning and juvenile rearing in rivers followed by migrating to saltwater to feed, grow, and mature before returning to freshwater to spawn. Sockeye salmon are vulnerable to many stressors and threats including blocked access to spawning grounds and habitat degradation caused by dams and culverts. One evolutionary significant unit is listed as endangered and one ESU is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
NOAA Fisheries is committed to conserving and protecting sockeye salmon. Our scientists and partners use a variety of innovative techniques to study, learn more about, and protect this species.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Chordata | Class | Osteichthyes | Order | Salmoniformes | Family | Salmonidae | Genus | Oncorhynchus | Species | nerka |
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Featured News
In the Spotlight
Management Overview
One evolutionary significant unit of sockeye salmon is listed as endangered and one ESU is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Regulatory History
The threatened and endangered ESUs of sockeye salmon were listed under the ESA on June 28, 2005. We had previously listed the Snake River ESU and Ozette Lake ESU in 1991 and 1999, but we reaffirmed the listings in 2005.
We designated critical habitat for the Snake River ESU on December 28, 1993 and for the Ozette Lake ESU on September 2, 2005.
Key Actions and Documents
Science Overview
NOAA Fisheries conducts various research activities on the biology, behavior, and ecology of sockeye salmon. The results of this research are used to inform management decisions for this species.
Dive Deeper Into Our Research
Our work to forecast salmon harvests, assess the impact of commercial fisheries on salmon, and evaluate how salmon populations respond to environmental changes enable us to estimate abundance and trends for sockeye salmon in Alaska.
Sockeye Salmon Research in the Pacific Northwest
Our research on Pacific salmon covers several topics including bycatch, salmon harvest forecasts, ecotoxicology, genetics, marine survival, and responses to climate change.
Recent Science Blogs
Documents
2022 5-year Review: Summary & Evaluation of Ozette Lake Sockeye Salmon
Five-year reviews describe whether recovery is on track in the context of the recovery plan,…
2022 5-Year Review: Summary & Evaluation of Snake River Sockeye Salmon
Five-year reviews describe whether recovery is on track in the context of the recovery plan,…
Final Review Draft for Proposed Amendment 51 to the FMP for BSAI King and Tanner Crabs, Amendment 17 to the FMP for the Scallop Fishery off Alaska, and Amendment 15 to the FMP for the Salmon Fisheries Compliance with Bycatch Reporting Methodology
Analysis of fishery management plan amendments regarding Standardized Bycatch Reporting…
Final Environmental Assessment: Snake River Basin Fall Chinook and Coho Salmon, and Resident Trout Fisheries
The Snake River is a tributary to the Columbia River. The proposed management plans include fall…
Data & Maps
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund Database
The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) database serves as a project and performance…
Recovery Action Database
Tracks the implementation of recovery actions from Endangered Species Act (ESA) recovery plans.
Outreach & Education
¡Cuento con usted! edición salmón (en español)
Aprenda a administrar el salmón responsablemente.
I'm Counting on You! Salmon Brochure About Issues Affecting Salmon and How You Can Help
Learn about the threats facing salmon and what you can do to help.
Protectores de Salmónidos (en español)
A través de los cómics, los juegos de palabras, y los laberintos, los niños aprenden sobre la…
An Incredible Journey – Curriculum About Issues Affecting Salmon and How to Become a Salmon Steward
This curriculum includes 10 hands-on lesson plans that explore the salmon life cycle; the cultural,…