Sockeye salmon are one of the few fish that can move to fresh to salt water, then salt back to fresh. These remarkable fish travel as babies from Alaska fisheries and go to the sea traveling up to 1000 miles to get to salt waters where they can feed. When they head back to their fresh water pool where they where born, guided by the earth’s magnetic field, the Salmon, have to travel miles and miles. On top of that, when they swim, currents push them to the opposite direction. They don’t let one thing stop them. But they don’t only have one trouble.

Bears. When it comes to Salmon, Bears just simply need to have a taste. Pouncing and roaring, the Bears enjoy a hearty meal. Lots of Salmon will die. But most will pass. Salmon are quick and agile, so bears have not got much of an advantage. Thankfully missing being eaten, the rest of the school will travel on. Finally, they reach their pool. As they reach, their bodies will change. We call this, the breeding season. Their flanks start to turn red and males jaws start to become hooked. The redder, the fitter. But, remember, not only one trouble.

Seals.

The only fresh water seals in America. Going for the now red Salmon, the Seals breath for air and dive down. Snapping at the Salmon. But like I said before, Salmon are quick, so the Seal changes plan. The Seals hide in plain sight. They ignore the males right in front of them. The Seals go for the females, as they have rich eggs waiting to be released. When the seal had had enough, they go away, leaving the rest of the females. First they need a mate. When they find one they lay the eggs. But as soon as they have laid the eggs after mating, they die. The males die as well. There bodies gives lots of fertilisation. But, as the eggs hatch, the whole Salmon story starts again!

Please do watch David Attenborough’s OUR PLANET II on Netflix. I really recommend it as that is where I got these facts from.

By Coral