An IncredibleJourney

An IncredibleJourney

An Incredible JourneyCopyright © NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region, 2018

Requests for copies of this book should be addressed to: wcr.education@noaa.gov.

NOAA Fisheries West Coast RegionNOAA Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of the nation’s ocean resources and their habitat. Our work is guided by two core mandates—to ensure the productivity and sustainability of fisheries and fishing communities through science-based decision-making and compliance with regulations, and to recover and conserve protected resources including marine mammals, sea turtles, and fish.

The West Coast Region of NOAA Fisheries works in Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho. Our research, fisheries management, enforcement, and habitat restoration helps recover and conserve protected species such as abalone, salmon, sea turtles, Southern Resident killer whales, and Steller sea lions.

To learn more, visit: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/region/west-coast.

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About This BookThroughout their short lives, salmon complete an incredible journey that is fraught with many natural and human-made challenges. While salmon used to return to rivers and streams in vast numbers every year, many populations are now threatened with extinction.

For thousands of years, communities across the globe have relied on salmon as a key component of their culture. Communities and governments are rallying together to save salmon from extinction and restore the habitat on which salmon depend.

This book explores each of these topics through vivid illustrations and short text. So that students feel empowered to take action, the text is followed up with examples of students who are working to protect salmon and their habitat.

An detailed description of the salmon life cycle follows this page.

A glossary of supporting vocabulary words are defined on pages 34-35.

Corresponding CurriculumTo further explore the concepts presented in this book, download a free copy of the An Incredible Journey curriculum from www.fisheries.noaa.gov or by contacting wcr.education@noaa.gov.

This curriculum is designed for grades 4-5, and can easily be adapted for grades 3 and 6. Each of the 10 lessons align to educational standards and contain extensions, action projects, and additional resources for students to learn more.

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Eggs

Alevin

Fry

Smolts

Ocean Adults

Migrating Adults

Spawners

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Salmon Life CycleSalmon

Life Cycle

DedicationThis book is dedicated to you, our partners in salmon recovery. If you enjoy fishing for salmon on charter boats in the Pacific, if you partake in first salmon ceremonies with your tribal elders, if you cherish memories of watching spawning salmon swim in creeks on the farm where you grew up, if you enjoy salmon on your dinner table surrounded by family and friends---you have been touched by this iconic Pacific species, you appreciate its link to the fabric of our culture, and because of this you will play an indispensable role conserving salmon for future generations. Thank you for joining us on the road to salmon recovery, doing your part to raise awareness, and helping restore and protect healthy ecosystems in which salmon can thrive. We could not make this journey without your steadfast contributions, commitment, and support.

Acknowledgments The endless support and wisdom of Katherine Cheney of NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region and Emily Bosanquet of Pacific Northwest College of Art were essential to the completion of this book.

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Science in Studio AwardThis book would not have been possible without the tremendous support of the Science in Studio Award. This award is a collaboration between NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region and the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA). The Science in Studio Award aims to harness the change-making power of art. Each fall, NOAA Fisheries highlights a pressing concern, such as watershed toxics or safe whale watching. Pacific Northwest College of Art students propose work that addresses the theme and creates a cultural consciousness around the issue. A panel of expert judges selects awardees based on their early ideations, the strength of their portfolios, their interest in creative research and investigation, and their capacity for professional collaboration with NOAA officials, faculty, and fellow students. Not only does Science in Studio help build community and inspire change, but it also transforms the artists themselves. Through the program, “artists have a unique ability to translate complex ideas into easily understood visual narratives,” reflects Stephanie Fogel, a 2016 awardee.

Through their making process and professional engagement with NOAA, students participate in the discourse and investigate the complex dynamics at the heart of many of the environmental and social-economic challenges we face as a community, adding their creative voices to the realm of science and policy. Past projects have addressed nearshore habitat of juvenile salmon (2013/14), watershed toxins (2014/15), safe marine mammal watching (2015/16), salmon culture (2016/17), and sustainable seafood (2017/18).To learn more, visit: www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/education/pnca_water_quality.html

viWest Coast Region

Written byAlicia Keefe, NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region

IllustrationsAnke Gladnick, Pacific Northwest College of Art

EditorChristina Durham, NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region

DesignAlix Smith, NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region

Alicia Keefe and Anke Gladnick

An IncredibleJourney

An IncredibleJourney

JourneyJourney

From rainforests to deserts andmountains to coral reefs,

Earth is home to many different ecosystems.

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Some animals and plants, known as keystone species, play very big roles in their ecosystems. Keystone species help keep an ecosystem in balance.

A change in the population of a keystone species can cause big changes throughout an ecosystem—often in surprising ways.

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Salmon swim thousands of miles from their home stream to the ocean and back again. This unique life cycle makes salmon an important

keystone species in many different ecosystems.5

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More than 130 different species—from insects to killer whales—depend on

salmon for part of their diet.

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People around the world also depend on salmon for food, jobs, and culture. 8

For thousands of years, communities have

celebrated the return of salmon through dances,

festivals, and art.

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At one time, millions of salmon returned to their home rivers.

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Even though salmon are resilient, challenges like climate change, habitat loss, and overfishing are pushing them

to the brink of extinction. 11

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If salmon disappear, what does that mean for the communities and ecosystems that

depend on them?

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Shade to keep water cool.

Insects toeat.

People are working together to make sure salmon have what

they need to thrive:

Logs so salmon

do not get

swept away

in strong currents.

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Enough water to swim and build nests.

Rivers without barriers so

salmon can migrate.15

To save this keystone species, communities are working together to slow climate change, stop pollution, and help salmon overcome barriers.

Even families, schools, and individuals are making a real difference by planting trees, conserving water, and driving less.

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The choices we make today affect salmon and all the species that depend on them. When we work together to protect salmon, we also protect ecosystems, food,

and our culture.

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