Pacific herring

Pacific herring is a small, schooling fish native to the North Pacific Ocean and surrounding coastal waters. It plays a vital role in marine ecosystems as both predator and prey, feeding on plankton and small invertebrates while providing essential nourishment for larger fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. Herring are important commercially, often harvested for food and bait. They migrate seasonally to spawn in shallow waters, where females release eggs that adhere to substrates like seaweed. Their populations fluctuate based on environmental conditions, making them key indicators of ocean health and ecosystem stability.