FIGURE 1
INTRODUCTION
Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, play a vital role in forest ecosystems around the North Atlantic (1). This slender finfish belongs to the family Salmonidae, along with trout, chars, freshwater whitefish, and graylings (2). This family is characterized by its anadromous life cycle, primitive appearance, and adipose fin which is thought to be useless (3). Salmon differentiate from trout, a close relative, with their more streamlined appearance (3). The Atlantic salmon is the only salmon found in the Atlantic, while all other species are found in the Pacific. Atlantic salmon are culturally important to New England (4). The annual salmon runs were once an important source of food for Native Americans (5). Legend has it that salmon were once so abundant that one could walk across the rivers on the backs of salmon (5). Originally, eating salmon was so unpopular that a law in the 19th century protected laborers from being fed salmon more than twice a week (5). This mentality changed drastically over the next couple centuries, and the atlantic salmon is now one of the most-eaten fish in North America (5). The purpose of this website is to explore the atlantic salmon fishery’s history and current state, as well as discuss ways to manage the fishery more effectively.