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Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries. |
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Pacific herring are small schooling fishes with diverse life histories that vary by population. Most populations live in ocean and nearshore areas and make small migrations to estuarine spawning areas and offshore wintering areas. However, some groups are non migratory and other populations live almost exclusively in estuaries, while a few freshwater and landlocked populations even exist. Adult coloration includes a blue-green upper body with silvery sides devoid of markings. The body is laterally compressed and the scales along the underside project out from the edge in a slightly serrated arrangement. Scales are large and easily removed.
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Learn More...
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- Conservation Notes: This section includes information on threats to this species, its importance to humans and estuaries and how you can help to protect this species
- Profile: This section includes biological and life history information such as the species description, relatives, size/weight, diet, reproduction information, habitat and range.
- References: This section includes the list of articles and books cited in the information about the species.
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Did you know? There is a fishery for herring eggs laid on kelp, which when salted, is called kazunoko-kombu, and is considered a delicacy in
Japan. |
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Type: Fish |
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Diet: copepods, crustaceans, small fishes |
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Average lifespan in the wild:
about 8 years in Southeast Alaska and up to 16 years in the Bering Sea |
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Size: 18 inches (.46 meters) maximum |
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Weight: 2 lbs (.9 kg) maximum |
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Found in the following Estuarine Reserves: Kachemak Bay (AK), Padilla Bay (WA), South Slough (OR), San Francisco (CA), Elkhorn Slough (CA), Tijuana River (CA). |
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Water quality factors needed for survival: Find details about water temperature, turbidity, water flow, salinity, dissolved oxygen at this link. |
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Threats: |
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- Excessive fishing
- Habitat loss and degradation
- Pollution
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Click map for larger image |
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