About Salmon Eggs

Salmon eggs are also commonly known as roe and are sought for two reasons: fish bait and fish delicacies, such as caviar. Salmon eggs are found throughout all cultures, but are particularly common in the United States and Japan. While many find the concept of using fish eggs somewhat strange, understanding the usefulness of salmon eggs can quickly change one's mind.

  1. Types

    • There are two major classifications of salmon; Pacific and Atlantic. Pacific salmon are typically found around the Asian nations, especially Japan. Atlantic salmon can be found around northern Atlantic. Salmon begin their lives within streams, rivers, shoreline, or harbors. As they live primarily in freshwater, they travel to the ocean and live in saltwater. However, when salmon are ready to reproduce, they will return back into freshwater.

    Function

    • Salmon eggs serve two purposes, for fish bait and food. Salmon eggs are some of the most effective fish baits, for they are fresh and can attract hungry fish, making for excellent bait. As for food, they are used as an ingredient in Caviar.

    Theories/Speculation

    • There is speculation, that is more of a tall tale to some skeptics, that salmon will go to the waters where they were born to reproduce. A theory that attempts to explain how salmon can live in both fresh and saltwater is due to the years of domestication by fisheries, wildlife agencies, and fishermen.

    Warning

    • Salmon in general are declining in numbers throughout the world because of global warming, overfishing, and human interaction, specifically the creation of dams. As we have created a major threat to the possibility of the salmon's extinction, we must take all precautions to reverse the declining population. This will be accomplished through being a more environmentally conscious world, and begin to plan better ways of fishing salmon in general.

    Size

    • Salmon eggs are around one millimeter in diameter. As the Salmon will lay up to 3,000 eggs, the overall sac can reach up to several inches. However, only ten percent of the eggs will survive before they hatch. The egg will only get slightly larger before it hatches, growing to a size around an inch.