Salmon wrack. Bottom left? Spawned-out sockeye salmon, some pinks mixed into the pile, perhaps on a beach bordering Resurrection Bay, Alaska.

On page S-11 of the COASST protocol, the wrack line is defined as “where floating materials – seaweed, carcasses, trash, and other debris – were recently deposited during the most recent receding tide(s).”

Today we’re sharing a photo from Tasha and Sadie, who survey Tonsina Beach, in Seward. You don’t have to look too closely to tell this photo came from Alaska – that’s right, this wrack is filled with salmon, sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) to be specific (thanks Tom Q, UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, for the ID help!). Some pink salmon, perhaps are mixed in.

Follow that with another pic, this one from Sitka, where Rebecca and Brad share Seamart to Sandy beach. All pink salmon here, mixed with sugar kelp. You can tell by the COASST ruler – these fish aren’t tiny!

All pink salmon in this photo, on a beach bordering Sitka Sound.