Atlantic herring

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) is a species of herring found in the northern Atlantic Ocean. This species is a part of the Clupeidae family and is known for its significant role in the marine ecosystem and commercial fishing industry.

Description

The Atlantic Herring is a small, silvery fish that can grow up to 45 cm in length. It has a single dorsal fin, no lateral line, and a protruding lower jaw. The body is covered in large, easily shed scales.

Distribution and Habitat

Atlantic Herring are found on both sides of the North Atlantic. In the western Atlantic, they range from Labrador to Cape Hatteras, and in the eastern Atlantic, they are found from the Bay of Biscay to the Arctic Ocean. They inhabit both coastal and offshore waters, and are known to migrate seasonally.

Diet

The diet of the Atlantic Herring primarily consists of plankton, small crustaceans, and fish larvae. They feed by straining these organisms out of the water with their gill rakers.

Reproduction

Atlantic Herring are batch spawners, meaning they release their eggs in multiple batches over a period of time. Spawning occurs in coastal waters, and the eggs are adhesive, sticking to the seabed or vegetation.

Commercial Importance

Atlantic Herring are commercially important due to their high oil content and their use in a variety of products, including herring oil, fish meal, and canned fish. They are also a popular food fish in many cultures.

Conservation Status

The Atlantic Herring is currently listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, overfishing and habitat degradation pose threats to their populations.

Gallery

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  Atlantic herring

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  Barrel of herring

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  Atlantic herring illustration

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  Baltic herring from Poland

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  School of herring

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  Atlantic herring capture production, million tonnes, 1950-2022

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  Purse seining for herring

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  Harvesting herring with a purse seine

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  Catch of Atlantic herring

See Also

• Herring
• Commercial fishing
• Marine conservation

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