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The number of salmon has decreased in the past years and there are concerns that there isn't enough being done to take control of predators that feed on them so they won't die. The result to that is they have dropped very low in population in the past years. Salmon have also dropped to historic lows. People do not know what kind of ocean-going predators may be seeking out salmon as their dinner, lunch, or breakfast because their normal prey is not available. People who are concerned about salmon are trying to take action by gathering information and authority so predators won't wipe out salmon population. The ODFW (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) is thinking of ways to decrease the number of fish that can either eat or outcompete salmon. The way that salmon are being released from hatcheries or dams is being changed to make it harder for their predators to eat them when they are most vulnerable. A lot will have to be done so that the struggle for survival between salmon and their predators will be a fair fight.
Definition: Predator: An animal that lives by preying on others Definition: Prey: A creature hunted or caught for food |
Salmon predators
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What time period they hunted their prey: |
What their predator is: |
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In their egg |
other fish like crawfish |
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Fingerlings |
Northern Pike Minnow, larger salmon, birds, and sturgeon |
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Smolts |
sturgeon, Caspain tern, (a bird that nests by the Columbia river), gulls, and shad |
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When they are in the ocean |
killer whales, seals, sea lions |
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When they're migrating to aldults |
humans, eagles, and bears |
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After spawning |
other fish eat the leftover insects |
Salmon prey
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When they are hunted by a predator: |
What they eat: |
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First hatch |
their own egg while swimming around |
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When they are a Fry or a Fingerling |
worms and insects |
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Smolt |
smaller fish like salmon |
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When they are in the ocean |
herring and smelt |
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In fresh water |
They stop eating. (Maybe small sea creatures) |
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