What are forage fish?
A. Every fish species is consumed in large numbers by other ocean life at some point in their life. Therefore, they are considered to be food, or “forage” in the marine ecosystem. However, some species, particularly small fish (e.g., anchovies, anchovetas, herrings, pilchards and sardines) form large schools near the surface of the ocean (i.e., “pelagic”) and are consumed in vast numbers by other ocean life at virtually all stages in their life history, including as adults. These small fish are commonly referred to as “forage” fish because their huge abundance is critically important to the survival of other ocean life, such as sea birds, marine mammals and other species of larger fish.
