Salmon, one of the most important fish inhabiting our ocean’s water column, rely heavily on herring for food. As young salmon migrate to sea, they predate on larval and juvenile herring. For adult salmon, such as chinook and coho, herring make up ~60% of their diets (source: DFO). Other socio-economically important fish, including lingcod, halibut, dogfish, and rockfish, are also significant predators of herring. Thus, the health of populations of salmon and other fishes that live in our coastal waters is directly linked to the health of herring stocks.
By the end of their 3-4 year life cycle chum salmon will have consumed a large number of fish, among them herring at various sizes. Photo: Mark Wunsch
Date:
Monday, January 27, 2014