What is "chinook salmon"

n. ''Oncorhynchus tshawytscha'', the largest species in the (vern Pacific salmon pedia=1) group.

1. n. pink or white flesh of large Pacific salmon [syn: chinook, king salmon]

2. large Pacific salmon valued as food; adults die after spawning [syn: chinook, king salmon, quinnat salmon, Onchorynchus tshawtscha]

The Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is the largest species in the Pacific salmon genus Oncorhynchus. The common name refers to the Chinookan peoples. Other vernacular names for the species include king salmon, Quinnat salmon, spring salmon, and Tyee salmon. The scientific species name is based on the Russian common name chavycha (чавыча). Chinook and other Pacific salmon evolved from lake dwelling Salmo-like fish somewhere between 500,000 and 1,000,000 years ago..

Chinook are anadromous fish native to the North Pacific Ocean and the river systems of western North America, ranging from California to Alaska, as well as Asian rivers ranging from northern Japan to the Palyavaam River in the Arctic north-east Siberia. They have been introduced to other parts of the world, including New Zealand, the Great Lakes of North America and Patagonia. A large Chinook is a prized and sought-after catch for a sporting angler. The flesh of the salmon is also highly valued for its dietary nutritional content, which includes high levels of important omega-3 fatty acids. Some populations are endangered, however many are healthy. The Chinook salmon has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List. According to NOAA the Chinook salmon population along the California coast is declining, due to factors like overfishing, loss of freshwater and estuarine habitat, hydropower development, poor ocean conditions, and hatchery practices.