Ocean Prey
Forage fish are small, schooling species that form the foundation of marine food webs.
Managed forage fish include, but are not limited to, mackerels, herrings, menhadens, and sardines. All of these fish are known for their silvery bodies, lifetime prey status, prolific reproduction, and tendency to move in dense shoals. Krill are also a vital forage species. As a result of their nutrient-dense bodies, these species provide a critical energy link between plankton and larger predators.
What we do
Wild Oceans champions forage fish conservation by promoting ecosystem-based management, precautionary catch limits, and the protection of these species’ essential role in sustaining ocean biodiversity.
We were leaders in the creation of Atlantic menhaden ecological reference points, which linked striped bass management to their prey species at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Safeguarding forage fish is only achievable through holistic stewardship that recognizes their value not just as a resource, but as the backbone of healthy, resilient marine ecosystems.