Scientists believe that changes in environmental conditions greatly influence the abundance of coastal pelagic species such as anchovy. Oceanographic cycles that shift the Pacific Ocean between cool and warm water regimes trigger major population shifts for these species. Anchovies are generally more abundant during a cool water regime. Scientists are concerned about how climate change will affect the productivity of coastal pelagic species. NOAA and its partners operate the PACOOS program 
to track how oceanographic fluctuations affect marine resources, including anchovy.
-
Anchovy
-
Bass
- Bluefish
-
Clams
-
Cobia
-
Cod
-
Conch
-
Crab
-
Dogfish
-
Flounder
-
Grouper
-
Haddock
-
Halibut
-
Herring
-
Lingcod
-
Lobster
-
Mackerel
-
Mahimahi
-
Monkfish
-
Ocean perch
-
Opah
-
Pollock
-
Porgy
-
Rockfish
-
Sablefish
-
Salmon
-
Sardine
-
Scallop
-
Scup
-
Sea Bass
-
Shark
-
Shrimp
-
Skate
-
Snapper
-
Sole
-
Squid
-
Swordfish
-
Tilefish
-
Tuna
-
Turbot (Greenland)
-
Wahoo
-
Whiting
-
Wreckfish
Search for fish species near you
Use our map interface to search for species near you
LAUNCH THE MAPNorthern Anchovy
Engraulis mordax
ALSO KNOWN AS:
-
Anchovy, North Pacific Anchovy, California Anchovy
SOURCE:
-
U.S. wild-caught from Washington, Oregon, and California
STATUS
-
POPULATION
-
FISHING RATE
-
HABITAT IMPACTS
-
BYCATCH
Click the icons to learn more about each criteria
OVERVIEW
More than 20 different species in the Engraulidae family are marketed as “anchovy.” Northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) is the species found and commercially harvested off the West Coast. Today, northern anchovy is harvested mainly for use as bait in other fisheries and sometimes processed into fish meal, but it once supported a multimillion-dollar fishery as catch was sold for human consumption, for bait, and for reduction into meal, oil, and soluble protein.
Records show that northern anchovy has been fished off the West Coast since at least 1916. The fishery was small until the Pacific sardine fishery collapsed in the 1940s and 1950s. Processors began canning anchovies instead of sardines, and fishermen started harvesting more anchovy. Landings increased from 960 tons in 1946 to 9,464 tons in 1947, then up to nearly 43,000 tons in 1953. Consumer demand for anchovies decreased after sardines came back, and the commercial fishery for northern anchovy gradually declined. Although we don’t see the northern anchovy in the market these days, this resource still supports a small but relatively valuable bait fishery. Northern anchovy’s European counterpart, Engraulis encrasicolus, is the anchovy best known in the culinary world. This European or “true” anchovy is found in the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, and warmer waters of the East Atlantic and is one of the many anchovies we import for consumption.
Looking Ahead
This Just In
LOCATION & HABITAT
Northern anchovy are found from British Columbia to Baja California and in the Gulf of California. They swim in schools near the surface of the ocean. Anchovies move short distances along the shore and offshore.
BIOLOGY
Anchovies grow quickly, up to about 7 inches. They live a short time – rarely longer than 4 years. Anchovy are able to reproduce when they are 2. They spawn throughout the year, with peak activity from February to April. Females release batches of eggs every 7 to 10 days. The eggs hatch in 2 to 4 days, depending on the temperature of the water.
Anchovy feed on plankton (tiny floating plants and animals). Northern anchovy are an important part of the food chain for other species. A variety of plankton-eating animals feed on anchovy eggs and larvae. Many recreationally and commercially important fish species feed on juvenile anchovy. Salmon, birds, and numerous other fish and marine mammals prey on adult anchovy.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Anchovy are small, compressed fish with long snouts that overhang a large mouth. Their bodies are bluish-green above and silvery below, and adults have a faint silver stripe on the side.
OVERVIEW
Scientists at NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center have researched northern anchovy for years to inform and improve management of the fishery. They also monitor the stock to ensure it’s stable.
POPULATION STATUS
Anchovy fisheries are managed based on annual harvest data. Northern anchovy harvest has been low in recent years. Scientists monitor harvest of northern anchovy, and should landings increase, managers may recommend further assessing the resource or implementing additional regulations for the fishery.
Anchovies have high natural mortality – each year 45 to 55 percent of the total stock would die of natural causes if no fishing occurred.
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH
Harvesting Northern anchovy
Northern anchovy are divided into northern, central, and southern sub-populations. The northern sub-population supports a small bait fishery and an emerging food fishery off Oregon and Washington. The central sub-population ranges from San Francisco to Baja California, Mexico, and supports commercial fisheries in the United States and Mexico. The southern population is entirely within Mexican waters.
Management
Who’s in charge? NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
Current management: Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan.
Northern anchovy is a “monitored species” – current harvest of this species is low and doesn’t call for annual assessments of stock status. Scientists monitor the fishery through landings data. If landings increase significantly or exceed the annual catch limit, managers may change the level of the fishery’s management. Northern anchovy is subject to the same regulations that apply to all the species within the management plan for coastal pelagic species including a limit on the number and capacity of vessels that can participate in the fishery and provisions to reduce bycatch and increase the survival of any animals that are caught incidentally.
State fisheries management agencies have similar regulations for anchovy fisheries in state waters (out to 3 miles offshore). Some states follow federal regulations but some have additional regulations.
Northern anchovy is a transboundary resource. To ensure sustainability of the coastwide fishery, U.S. scientists make efforts to coordinate and share information and research with neighboring countries.
Annual Harvest
Fishermen harvested almost 2,100 metric tons of northern anchovy along the West Coast in 2010. The majority came from California.
Economy
Northern anchovy is harvested mainly for use as bait in other fisheries and sometimes processed into fish meal. Harvests from the emerging food fishery off Oregon and Washington are small; this catch typically goes to high-end grocery stores.
OVERVIEW
More than 20 different species in the Engraulidae family are marketed as “anchovy.” Anchovy is harvested around the world – Africa, Chile, France, Peru, Portugal, Spain, U.K., and United States are the main suppliers. The majority of the catch is canned, salted, turned into paste, or distilled to make Asian fish sauces. The U.S. catch is mainly used for bait in other fisheries.
The meat of canned anchovy packed in oil is blush red, a result of the salt-curing process. The meat of unprocessed anchovy is gray; it becomes off-white when cooked. Canned or salted anchovies have a pronounced, salty tang, and fresh anchovies have a rich but subtle taste and a soft texture (so substituting canned or salted anchovies in recipes calling for fresh ones is not recommended). The skin is edible. Before using canned fillets, rinse them under cold running water or soak them in cool water for 30 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
(Seafood Business, 2011)
SEASONAL AVAILABILITY
Year-round.
NUTRITION
Anchovies are high in calcium, iron, niacin, phosphorus, and selenium but are also high in cholesterol.
| Servings | 1 |
| Serving Weight | 100 g |
| Calories | 131 |
| Protein | 20.35 g |
| Fat, total | 4.84 g |
| Saturated fatty acids, total | 1.282 g |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g |
| Sugars, total | 0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 60 mg |
| Selenium | 36.5 mcg |
| Sodium | 104 mg |
Anchovy Table of Nutrition
RECIPES
-
Coming Soon...
