Pink salmon are booming in the North Pacific

Since the mid 1970s, pinks have become the dominant species of Pacific salmon, representing nearly 80% of all adult salmon that returned to North Pacific rivers to spawn in 2021 and 2023.

PINK SALMON ABUNDANCE

Since the mid 1970s, pinks have become the dominant species of Pacific salmon, representing nearly 80% of all adult salmon that returned to North Pacific rivers to spawn in 2021 and 2023.

(Please use a modern browser to see the interactive version of this visualization)

Data shows total abundance in North America and Asia (catch plus escapement) in millions of fish. Values from 2015 to 2023 are considered preliminary but unlikely to change; values from 2024 are likely to be updated. Note: The combined harvest of Chinook, coho, steelhead and cherry salmon is only about 4.1% of the total salmon population, and is not shown.

Chart: Fiona Martin / The Seattle TimesSource: Ruggerone and Irvine 2018, updated Oct. 2025