Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

The Chinook salmon, scientifically known as Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, is a large, powerful fish native to North America's Pacific coast. Also called king salmon, it is prized for its size, strength, and rich flavor. Chinook salmon hatch in freshwater rivers, migrate to the ocean to grow, and later return to their original freshwater birthplaces to spawn and die, completing their life cycle. They play a vital role in ecosystems and are important for commercial and recreational fishing. Their populations are influenced by environmental changes, making conservation efforts crucial for their future sustainability.