Salmon populations have drastically decreased over the past few decades. Atlantic salmon spawn in fresh water, generally in the river where they were born. Juveniles spend 1-8 years in fresh water before migrating to salt water in the North Atlantic. After staying at sea for 1-4 years, adults return to fresh water to spawn. Salmon rivers are generally clear, cool and well oxygenated, with gravel, cobble and boulder substrates and are a part of the Mi’kmaq people’s diet.