Quinnat Salmon (Pacific / King Salmon)

Average length 40-100 cm; average weight 8-10 kg. Species introduced, not native to New Zealand. Colour of sea-living salmon bright silvery; back greenish-olive with small black spots, belly silvery white. Flesh in lower jaw alongside teeth dusky-grey. Scales very small and easily lost in fish from sea; has a small adipose fin. Found in coastal waters, mainly east coast of South Isalnd. Distribution little understood but probably mostly not far offshore, migrates inshore and up rivers to spawn in late summer and autumn. A salmon farming industry has developed with fish being raised either in fresh water ponds to (about 30 cm) or in sea cages up to 5 kg. Farm production is year round with harvesting to suit market requirements. Ocean ranching of salmon is also being developed.