Sockeye Salmon (Protected)
Oncorhynchus nerka

Protected Status
Quick Facts

Sockeye salmon. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
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.
Protected Status
ESA Endangered
1 evolutionarily significant unit
- Snake River ESU
ESA Threatened
1 evolutionarily significant unit
- Ozette Lake ESU
Scientific Classification
Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Chordata | Class | Osteichthyes | Order | Salmoniformes | Family | Salmonidae | Genus | Oncorhynchus | Species | nerka |
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Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/13/2022
Featured News


Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/13/2022
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/13/2022
In the Spotlight
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/13/2022
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
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/13/2022
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.
Recent Science Blogs
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/13/2022
Documents
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 FMP amendments regarding Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology
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…
Evolution Of Phenology In A Salmonid Population: A Potential Adaptive Response To Climate Change
Accumulating evidence has indicated that many fish populations are responding to climate change…
2016 5-Year Review: Summary & Evaluation of Ozette Lake Sockeye
A 5-year status review for Ozette Lake Sockeye salmon
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
Protectores de Salmónidos (en español)
A través de los cómics, los juegos de palabras, y los laberintos, los niños aprenden sobre la…
¡Cuento con usted! edición salmón (en español)
Aprenda qué es lo que el salmón necesita para vivir y cómo puede hacer la diferencia.
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.
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,…
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/13/2022