View source for Herring

{{Short description|Forage fish, mostly belonging to the family Clupeidae}}
{{About|the species of fish|their use as food|Herring as food|other uses}}
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 | caption1          = [[Atlantic herring]], ''Clupea harengus''
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 | caption2         = Global commercial capture of herrings<br />in million tonnes reported by the [[FAO]] 1950–2010<ref name=FAOdata>Based on data sourced from the relevant [http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/search/en FAO Species Fact Sheets] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508190513/http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/search/en |date=2009-05-08 }}</ref>
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'''Herring''' are various species of [[forage fish]], belonging to the [[Order (biology)|order]] [[Clupeiformes]].

Herring often move in large [[Shoaling and schooling|schools]] around [[fishing bank]]s and near the coast, found particularly in shallow, temperate waters of the [[North Pacific Ocean|North Pacific]] and [[North Atlantic Ocean]]s, including the [[Baltic Sea]], as well as off the west coast of South America. Three species of ''Clupea'' (the [[type genus]] of the herring family Clupeidae) are recognised, and comprise about 90% of all herrings captured in fisheries. The most abundant of these species is the [[Atlantic herring]], which comprises over half of all herring capture. Fish called herring are also found in the [[Arabian Sea]], [[Indian Ocean]], and [[Bay of Bengal]].

Herring played an important role in the history of marine fisheries in Europe,<ref>Cushing, David H (1975) [https://books.google.com/books?id=TgU4AAAAIAAJ&q=%22Marine+ecology+and+fisheries%22 ''Marine ecology and fisheries''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529094324/https://books.google.com/books?id=TgU4AAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22Marine+ecology+and+fisheries%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=BLeTT77ULOTSmAWBtoj0AQ&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAA |date=2016-05-29 }} Cambridge University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-521-09911-0}}.</ref> and early in the 20th century, their study was fundamental to the development of [[fisheries science]].<ref>Went, AEJ (1972) "The History of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea". ''Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh''. Section B. Biology, '''73''': 351–360.{{doi|10.1017/S0080455X0000240X}}</ref><ref name=PaulyDarwin /> These [[oily fish]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2004/jun/oilyfishdefinition|title=What's an oily fish?|date=2004-06-24|publisher=[[Food Standards Agency]]|url-status=live|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20101210005807/http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2004/jun/oilyfishdefinition|archive-date=2010-12-10}}</ref> also have a long history as an important [[food fish]], and are often [[salted fish|salted]], [[smoked fish|smoked]], or [[Pickled herring|pickled]].

Herring were also known as "silver darlings" in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/12/herring-sustainable-fisheries-danish-uk-sushi-restaurants|title=Here be herrings: the return of the silver darlings|date=2014-11-12|work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

==Species==
{{common fish}}

A number of different species, most belonging to the family [[Clupeidae]], are commonly referred to as herrings. The origins of the term "herring" is somewhat unclear, though it may derive from the same source as the [[Old High German]] ''heri'' meaning a "host, multitude", in reference to the large schools they form.<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=herring Herring] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512061237/http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=herring |date=2015-05-12 }} ''Online Etymology Dictionary'', Retrieved 10 April 2012.</ref>

The [[type genus]] of the herring family Clupeidae is ''[[Clupea]]''.<ref name=PaulyDarwin>Pauly, Daniel (2004) [https://books.google.com/books?id=lTDa0fM4vQIC&dq=pauly+%22darwin%27s+fishes%22+herring&pg=PA109 ''Darwin's Fishes: An Encyclopedia of Ichthyology, Ecology, and Evolution''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529124808/https://books.google.com/books?id=lTDa0fM4vQIC&pg=PA109&dq=pauly+%22darwin%27s+fishes%22+herring&hl=en&sa=X&ei=RbOTT_2jF8TxmAXj5tDSAQ&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAA |date=2016-05-29 }} Page 109, Cambridge University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-521-82777-5}}.</ref> ''Clupea'' contains only two species: the [[Atlantic herring]] (the type species) found in the North Atlantic, and the [[Pacific herring]] mainly found in the North Pacific. [[Subspecies|Subspecific]] divisions have been suggested for both the Atlantic and Pacific herrings, but their biological basis remains unclear.

{| class="wikitable collapsible"
|-
! colspan="11"| Herrings in the genus ''Clupea''
|-
! Common name
! Scientific name
! Maximum<br/>length
! Common<br/>length
! Maximum<br/>weight
! Maximum<br/>age
! [[Trophic level|Trophic<br/>level]]
! [[FishBase|Fish<br/>Base]]
! [[FAO]]
! [[ITIS]]
! [[IUCN|IUCN status]]

|-
| [[Atlantic herring]]
| ''Clupea harengus'' <small>Linnaeus, 1758</small>
| style="text-align:right;"| 45.0&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"| 30.0&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"| 1.05&nbsp;kg
| style="text-align:right;"| 22 years
| style="text-align:center;"| 3.23
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="ReferenceA">{{FishBase | genus = Clupea | species = harengus | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>[http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2886/en ''Clupea harengus'' (Linnaeus, 1758) ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104231714/http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2886/en |date=2012-01-04 }} FAO, Species Fact Sheet. Retrieved April 2012.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161722 |taxon=Clupea harengus |access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref name=IUCNgladius>{{cite iucn |author=Herdson, D. |author2=Priede, I.G. |date=2010 |title=''Clupea harengus'' |volume=2010 |article-number=e.T155123A4717767 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T155123A4717767.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Pacific herring]]
| ''Clupea pallasii'' <small>Valenciennes, 1847</small>
| style="text-align:right;"| 46.0&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"| 25.0&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 19 years
| style="text-align:center;"| 3.15
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="ReferenceA"/>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>[http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2078/en ''Clupea pallasii'' (Valenciennes, 1847) ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206063253/http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2078/en |date=2011-12-06 }} FAO, Species Fact Sheet. Retrieved April 2012.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=551209 |taxon=Clupea pallasii |access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref>
| [[File:DD IUCN 3 1.svg|DD IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Data deficient</small><ref>{{cite iucn|author1=Gustafson, R.|author2=Sandell, T.|author3=Cleary, J.|year=2019|title=''Clupea pallasii''|article-number=e.T98471199A98845541|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T98471199A98845541.en|access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref>
|}

In addition, a number of related species, all in the Clupeidae, are commonly referred to as herrings. The table immediately below includes those members of the family Clupeidae referred to by [[FishBase]] as herrings which have been assessed by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]].

{| class="wikitable collapsible"
|-
! colspan="12" style="width:450px;"| Other herrings in the family Clupeidae
|-
! Group
! Common name
! Scientific name
! Maximum<br/>length
! Common<br/>length
! Maximum<br/>weight
! Maximum<br/>age
! [[Trophic level|Trophic<br/>level]]
! [[FishBase|Fish<br/>Base]]
! [[FAO]]
! [[ITIS]]
! [[IUCN|IUCN status]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Pellonulinae|Freshwater herrings]]
| [[Toothed river herring]]
| ''Clupeoides papuensis'' <small>(Ramsay & Ogilby, 1886)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Clupeoides | species = papuensis | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Clupeoides papuensis |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:DD IUCN 3 1.svg|DD IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Data deficient</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |date=2019 |title=''Clupeoides papuensis'' |volume=2019 |article-number=e.T4984A102881251 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T4984A102881251.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="8" style="text-align:center;"| [[Dussumieriinae|Round herrings]]
| [[Day's round herring]]
| ''Dayella malabarica'' <small>(Day, 1873)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Dayella | species = malabarica | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Dayella malabarica |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Mohd Arshaad, W. |author2=Munroe, T.A. |author3=Gaughan, D. |author4=Raghavan, R. |author5=Ali, A. |date=2017 |title=''Dayella malabarica'' |volume=2017 |article-number=e.T172314A60601652 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T172314A60601652.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Dwarf round herring]]
| ''Jenkinsia lamprotaenia'' <small>(Gosse, 1851)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Jenkinsia | species = lamprotaenia | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Jenkinsia lamprotaenia |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Munroe, T.A. |author2=Di Dario, F. |date=2020 |title=''Jenkinsia lamprotaenia'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T154793A18130945 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T154793A18130945.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Estuarine Round-herring|Gilchrist's round herring]]
| ''Gilchristella aestuaria'' <small>(Gilchrist, 1913)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Gilchristella | species = aestuaria | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Gilchristella aestuaria |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Bills, R. |date=2007 |title=''Gilchristella aestuaria'' |volume=2007 |article-number=e.T63245A12644478 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63245A12644478.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Little-eye round herring]]
| ''Jenkinsia majua'' <small>Whitehead, 1963</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Jenkinsia | species = majua | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Jenkinsia majua |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |author2=Munroe, T.A. |author3=Grijalba Bendeck, L. |author4=Aiken, K.A. |date=2020 |title=''Jenkinsia majua'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T155253A46930957 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T155253A46930957.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Red-eye round herring]]
| ''Etrumeus sadina'' <small>(Mitchill, 1814)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"| 33&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"| 25&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Etrumeus | species = sadina| month = March| year = 2024}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>[https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/aqspecies/2902/en ''Etrumeus teres'' (De Kay, 1842)] FAO, Species Fact Sheet. Retrieved 25 March 2024.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161744|taxon=''Etrumeus sadina''|access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn|author1=Munroe, T.|author2=Aiken, K.A.|author3=Brown, J.|author4=Grijalba Bendeck, L.|year=2015|title=''Etrumeus sadina''|article-number=e.T82626288A15603445|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T82626288A15603445.en|access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[Two-finned round herring]]
| ''Spratellomorpha bianalis'' <small>(Bertin, 1940)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"| 4.5&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 3.11
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Spratellomorpha | species = bianalis | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=551273 |taxon=Spratellomorpha bianalis |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:DD IUCN 3 1.svg|DD IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Data deficient</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Sparks, J.S. |date=2016 |title=''Spratellomorpha bianalis'' |volume=2016 |article-number=e.T44664A96229991 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T44664A96229991.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Whitehead's round herring]]
| ''Etrumeus whiteheadi'' <small>(Wongratana, 1983)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"| 20&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 3.4
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Etrumeus | species = whiteheadi | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>[http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2096/en ''Etrumeus whiteheadi'' (Wongratana, 1983) ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813202434/http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2096/en |date=2014-08-13 }} FAO, Species Fact Sheet. Retrieved April 2012.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=551211 |taxon=Etrumeus whiteheadi |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref name="Munroe, T.A. 2020 e.T154968A15530233">{{cite iucn |author=Munroe, T.A. |author2=Di Dario, F. |date=2020 |title=''Etrumeus whiteheadi'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T154968A15530233 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T154968A15530233.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Venezuelan herring]]
| ''Jenkinsia parvula'' <small>Cervigón and Velasquez, 1978</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Jenkinsia | species = parvula | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Jenkinsia parvula |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:VU IUCN 3 1.svg|VU IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Vulnerable</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |author2=Munroe, T.A. |author3=Aiken, K.A. |author4=Brown, J. |author5=Grijalba Bendeck, L. |date=2017 |title=''Jenkinsia parvula'' |volume=2017 |article-number=e.T10939A86372523 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T10939A86372523.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="4"|[[Opisthonema|Thread herrings]]
| [[Galapagos thread herring]]
| ''Opisthonema berlangai'' <small>(Günther, 1867)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"| 26&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"| 18&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 3.27
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Opisthonema | species = berlangai | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="ReferenceB">{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Opisthonema libertate |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:VU IUCN 3 1.svg|VU IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Vulnerable</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |date=2020 |title=''Opisthonema berlangai'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T183720A102896673 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T183720A102896673.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Middling thread herring]]
| ''Opisthonema medirastre'' <small>Berry & Barrett, 1963</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Opisthonema | species = medirastre | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Opisthonema medirastre |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |date=2020 |title=''Opisthonema medirastre'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T183235A102897018 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T183235A102897018.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Pacific thread herring]]
| ''Opisthonema libertate'' <small>(Günther, 1867)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"| 30&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"| 22&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Opisthonema | species = libertate | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>[http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2906/en ''Opisthonema libertate'' (Günther, 1867) ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414061709/http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2906/en |date=2013-04-14 }} FAO, Species Fact Sheet. Retrieved April 2012.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="ReferenceB"/>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref name="Munroe, T.A. 2020 e.T154968A15530233"/>
|-
| [[Slender thread herring]]
| ''Opisthonema bulleri'' <small>(Regan, 1904)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Opisthonema | species = bulleri | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Opisthonema bulleri |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |date=2020 |title=''Opisthonema bulleri'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T183910A102896852 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T183910A102896852.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="10"|Other
| [[Araucanian herring]]
| ''Strangomera bentincki'' <small>(Norman, 1936)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"| 28.4&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 2.69
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{FishBase | genus = Clupea | species = bentincki | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>[http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2913/en ''Clupea bentincki'' (Norman, 1936) ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729052304/http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2913/en |date=2012-07-29 }} FAO, Species Fact Sheet. Retrieved April 2012.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=615818 |taxon=Clupea bentincki |access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn|author1=Di Dario, F.|author2=Williams, J.|name-list-style=amp|year=2017|title=''Strangomera bentincki''|article-number=e.T98841657A98887036|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T98841657A98887036.en|access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[Blackstripe herring]]
| ''Lile nigrofasciata'' <small>Castro-Aguirre Ruiz-Campos and Balart, 2002</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Lile | species = nigrofasciata | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Lile nigrofasciata |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |date=2020 |title=''Lile nigrofasciata'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T183437A102896150 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T183437A102896150.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Denticle herring]]
| ''Denticeps clupeoides'' <small>Clausen, 1959</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Denticeps | species = clupeoides | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Denticeps clupeoides |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:VU IUCN 3 1.svg|VU IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Vulnerable</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Lalèyè, P. |date=2020 |title=''Denticeps clupeoides'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T182459A134946905 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T182459A134946905.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Dogtooth herring]]
| ''Chirocentrodon bleekerianus'' <small>(Poey, 1867)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Chirocentrodon | species = bleekerianus | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Chirocentrodon bleekerianus |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |author2=Williams, J.T. |author3=Nanola, C. |author4=Arceo, H. |author5=Acosta, A.K.M. |author6=Palla, H.P. |author7=Muallil, R. |author8=Ram, M. |author9=Beresford, A. |author10=Collen, B. |author11=Richman, N. |author12=Chenery, A. |date=2017 |title=''Chirocentrodon bleekerianus'' |volume=2017 |article-number=e.T155181A46929727 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T155181A46929727.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Graceful herring]]
| ''Lile gracilis'' <small>Castro-Aguirre and Vivero, 1990</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Lile | species = gracilis | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Lile gracilis |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Iwamoto, T. |author2=Eschmeyer, W. |author3=Smith-Vaniz, B. |date=2010 |title=''Lile gracilis'' |volume=2010 |article-number=e.T183277A8085306 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T183277A8085306.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Pacific Flatiron herring]]
| ''Harengula thrissina'' <small>(Jordan and Gilbert, 1882)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Harengula | species = thrissina | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Harengula thrissina |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Iwamoto, T. |author2=Eschmeyer, W. |author3=Smith-Vaniz, B. |date=2010 |title=''Harengula thrissina'' |volume=2010 |article-number=e.T183931A8201850 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T183931A8201850.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Sanaga pygmy herring]]
| ''Thrattidion noctivagus'' <small>Roberts, 1972</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Thrattidion | species = noctivagus | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Thrattidion noctivagus |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |date=2018 |title=''Thrattidion noctivagus'' |volume=2018 |article-number=e.T182664A143864630 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T182664A143864630.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Silver-stripe round herring]]
| ''Spratelloides gracilis'' <small>(Temminck & Schlegel, 1846)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"| 10.5&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 3.0
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{FishBase | genus = Spratelloides | species = gracilis | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=551212 |taxon=Spratelloides gracilis|access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn|author1=Priede, I.G.|author2=Santos, M.|author3=Gapuz, A.V.|author4=Lanzuela, N.|author5=Buccat, F.G.A.|author6=Lopez, G.|author7=Villarao, M.C.|author8=Doyola, M.C.|author9=Deligero, R.|author10=Hata, H.|author11=Alcantara, M.|author12=Gatlabayan, L.V.|author13=Tambihasan, A.M.|author14=Villanueva, J.A.|author15=Parido, L.|author16=Belga, P.B.|year=2017|title=''Spratelloides gracilis''|article-number=e.T154759A102899206|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T154759A102899206.en|access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[Striped herring]]
| ''Lile stolifera'' <small>(Jordan & Gilbert, 1882)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Lile | species = stolifera | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Lile stolifera |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Iwamoto, T. |author2=Eschmeyer, W. |date=2010 |title=''Lile stolifera'' |volume=2010 |article-number=e.T183336A8095864 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T183336A8095864.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[West African pygmy herring]]
| ''Sierrathrissa leonensis'' <small>Thys van den Audenaerde, 1969</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Sierrathrissa | species = leonensis | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Sierrathrissa leonensis |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Diouf, K. |author2=Moelants, T. |author3=Olaosebikan, B.D. |date=2020 |title=''Sierrathrissa leonensis'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T181746A134911200 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T181746A134911200.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|}

Also, a number of other species are called herrings, which may be related to clupeids or just share some characteristics of herrings (such as the [[lake herring]], which is a [[salmonid]]). Just which of these species are called herrings can vary with locality, so what might be called a herring in one locality might be called something else in another locality. Some examples:

{| class="wikitable collapsible"
|-
! colspan="12" style="width:450px;"| Other fishes called herring
|-
!
! Common name
! Scientific name
! Maximum<br/>length
! Common<br/>length
! Maximum<br/>weight
! Maximum<br/>age
! [[Trophic level|Trophic<br/>level]]
! [[FishBase|Fish<br/>Base]]
! [[FAO]]
! [[ITIS]]
! [[IUCN|IUCN status]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="7"| [[Pristigasteridae|Longfin herring]]
| [[Bigeyed longfin herring]]
| ''Opisthopterus macrops'' <small>(Günther, 1867)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Opisthopterus | species = macrops | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Opisthopterus macrops |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |date=2020 |title=''Opisthopterus macrops'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T183414A102907138 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T183414A102907138.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Dove's longfin herring]]
| ''Opisthopterus dovii'' <small>(Günther 1868)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Opisthonema | species = dovii | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Opisthopterus dovii |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |date=2020 |title=''Opisthopterus dovii'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T183922A102906567 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T183922A102906567.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Hatchet herring]]
| ''Ilisha fuerthii'' <small>(Steindachner, 1875)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Ilisha | species = fuerthii | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Ilisha fuerthii |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |author2=Williams, J.T. |author3=Nanola, C. |author4=Muallil, R. |author5=Palla, H.P. |author6=Arceo, H. |author7=Acosta, A.K.M. |date=2017 |title=''Ilisha fuerthii'' |volume=2017 |article-number=e.T183757A102905793 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T183757A102905793.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Panama longfin herring]]
| ''Odontognathus panamensis'' <small>(Steindachner, 1876)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Odontognathus | species = panamensis | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Odontognathus panamensis |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |date=2020 |title=''Odontognathus panamensis'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T183387A102906414 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T183387A102906414.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Tropical longfin herring]]
| ''Neoopisthopterus tropicus'' <small>(Hildebrand 1946)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Neoopisthopterus | species = tropicus | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Neoopisthopterus tropicus |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |author2=Williams, J.T. |author3=Nanola, C. |author4=Palla, H.P. |author5=Arceo, H. |author6=Acosta, A.K.M. |author7=Muallil, R. |date=2017 |title=''Neoopisthopterus tropicus'' |volume=2017 |article-number=e.T183217A102906158 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T183217A102906158.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Vaqueira longfin herring]]
| ''Opisthopterus effulgens'' <small>(Regan 1903)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Opisthopterus | species = effulgens | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Opisthopterus effulgens |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:VU IUCN 3 1.svg|VU IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Vulnerable</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |date=2018 |title=''Opisthopterus effulgens'' |volume=2018 |article-number=e.T183670A143831937 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T183670A143831937.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Equatorial longfin herring]]
| ''Opisthopterus equatorialis'' <small>Hildebrand, 1946</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  cm
| style="text-align:right;"|  kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Opisthopterus | species = equatorialis | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161750 |taxon=Opisthopterus equatorialis |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Di Dario, F. |date=2020 |title=''Opisthopterus equatorialis'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T183876A102907002 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T183876A102907002.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| [[Chirocentridae|Wolf herring]]
| [[Dorab wolf-herring]]
| ''Chirocentrus dorab'' <small>(Forsskål, 1775)</small>
| style="text-align:right;"| 100&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"| 60&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 4.50
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Chirocentrus | species = dorab | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>[http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2113/en ''Chirocentrus dorab'' (Forsskål, 1775) ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414031455/http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2113/en |date=2015-04-14 }} FAO, Species Fact Sheet. Retrieved April 2012.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161883 |taxon=Chirocentrus dorab |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn|author1=Santos, M.|author2=Hata, H.|author3=Villarao, M.C.|author4=Tambihasan, A.M.|author5=Lanzuela, N.|author6=Gapuz, A.V.|author7=Deligero, R.|author8=Belga, P.B.|author9=Alcantara, M.|author10=Buccat, F.G.A.|author11=Doyola, M.C.|author12=Gatlabayan, L.V.|author13=Lopez, G.|author14=Villanueva, J.A.|author15=Parido, L.|year=2017|title=''Chirocentrus dorab''|article-number=e.T75150150A75151154|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T75150150A75151154.en|access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[Whitefin wolf-herring]]
| ''Chirocentrus nudus'' <small>Swainson, 1839</small>
| style="text-align:right;"| 100&nbsp;cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   cm
| style="text-align:right;"| 0.41&nbsp;kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 4.19
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Chirocentrus | species = nudus | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=161884 |taxon=Chirocentrus nudus |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn|author1=Santos, M.|author2=Hata, H.|author3=Villarao, M.C.|author4=Tambihasan, A.M.|author5=Lopez, G.|author6=Gatlabayan, L.V.|author7=Doyola, M.C.|author8=Buccat, F.G.A.|author9=Alcantara, M.|author10=Belga, P.B.|author11=Deligero, R.|author12=Gapuz, A.V.|author13=Lanzuela, N.|author14=Parido, L.|author15=Villanueva, J.A.|year=2017|title=''Chirocentrus nudus''|article-number=e.T98735314A99087324|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T98735314A99087324.en|access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Freshwater whitefish]]
| [[Lake herring]] (cisco)
| ''Coregonus artedi'' <small>Lesueur, 1818</small>
| style="text-align:right;"|   cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   cm
| style="text-align:right;"|   kg
| style="text-align:right;"|  years
| style="text-align:center;"| 
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{FishBase | genus = Coregonus | species = artedi | month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{ITIS |id=623384 |taxon= Coregonus artedi |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn|author=Gimenez Dixon, M.|year=1996|title=''Coregonus artedi''|article-number=e.T5362A11123201|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T5362A11123201.en|access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref>
|}

{{clear}}

==Characteristics==

The species of ''Clupea'' belong to the larger family Clupeidae (herrings, [[shad]]s, [[sardines]], [[menhaden]]s), which comprises some 200 species that share similar features. These silvery-coloured fish have a single [[dorsal fin]], which is soft, without spines. They have no [[lateral line]] and have a protruding lower jaw. Their size varies between subspecies: the [[Baltic herring]] (''Clupea harengus membras'') is small, 14 to 18&nbsp;cm (about 5.5 to 7 inches); the proper Atlantic herring (''Clupea harengus harengus'') can grow to about {{convert|46|cm|in|abbr=on}} and weigh up {{convert|700|g|lb|abbr=on}}; and [[Pacific herring]] grow to about {{convert|38|cm|in|abbr=on}}.

==Life cycle==
[[File:Herring spawn.jpg|thumb|Herring spawn]]

At least one stock of Atlantic herring [[spawn (biology)|spawn]]s in every month of the year. Each spawns at a different time and place (spring, summer, autumn, and winter herrings). [[Greenland]] populations spawn in {{convert|0|-|5|m|ft|0|abbr=off}} of water, while North Sea (bank) herrings spawn at down to {{convert|200|m|ft|abbr=on}} in autumn. Eggs are laid on the sea bed, on rock, stones, gravel, sand or beds of [[algae]].  <!-- "...the fish were darting rapidly about, and those who have opportunity to see the fish spawning in more shallow water ... state that both males and females are in constant motion, rubbing against one another and upon the bottom, apparently by pressure aiding in the discharge of the eggs and milt" (Moore at Cross Island, Maine).

 -->Females may deposit from 20,000 to 40,000 eggs, according to age and size, averaging about 30,000. In sexually mature herring, the genital organs grow before spawning, reaching about one-fifth of its total weight.

The eggs sink to the bottom, where they stick in layers or clumps to gravel, seaweed, or stones, by means of their mucous coating, or to any other objects on which they chance to settle.

If the egg layers are too thick they suffer from oxygen depletion and often die, entangled in a maze of [[mucus]]. They need substantial water microturbulence, generally provided by [[wave action]] or coastal [[ocean currents|current]]s. Survival is highest in crevices and behind solid structures, because predators feast on openly exposed eggs. The individual eggs are {{convert|1|to|1.4|mm|in|frac=64|abbr=on}} in diameter, depending on the size of the parent fish and also on the local race. Incubation time is about 40 days at {{convert|3|C|F}}, 15 days at {{convert|7|C|F}}, or 11 days at {{convert|10|C|F}}. Eggs die at temperatures above {{convert|19|C|F}}.

The larvae are {{convert|5|to|6|mm|in|frac=32|abbr=on}} long at hatching, with a small yolk sac that is absorbed by the time the larvae reach {{convert|10|mm|in|frac=32|abbr=on}}. Only the eyes are well pigmented. The rest of the body is nearly transparent, virtually invisible under water and in natural lighting conditions.

The dorsal fin forms at {{convert|15|to|17|mm|in|frac=32|abbr=on}}, the anal fin at about {{convert|30|mm|in|frac=32|abbr=on}}—the ventral fins are visible and the tail becomes well forked at 30 to  {{convert|35|mm|in|frac=32|abbr=on}}— at about  {{convert|40|mm|in|frac=32|abbr=on}}, the larva begins to look like a herring.

Herring larvae are very slender and can easily be distinguished from all other young fish of their range by the location of the vent, which lies close to the base of the tail; however, distinguishing [[Clupeidae|clupeoids]] one from another in their early stages requires critical examination, especially telling herring from [[sprat]]s.

At one year, they are about {{convert|10|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long, and they first spawn at three years.

{{multiple image
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| header            = Egg to juvenile
| header_align      = center
| caption_align     = center
| image1            = Clupeaharenguskils2.jpg
| width1            = 225
| alt1              = 
| caption1          = Transparent eggs with the [[yolk]] and eyes visible and one larva hatched
| image2            = Clupealarvamatchkils.jpg
| width2            = 220
| alt2              = 
| caption2          = Freshly hatched larva in a drop of water beside a match to demonstrate how tiny it is: The black eyes and the yolk are visible.
| image3            = Clupeaharenguslarvaeinsitukils.jpg
| width3            = 210
| alt3              = 
| caption3          = Young larva in typical oblique swimming position, with remaining yolk still attached: Another larva at the upper right is in the classical S-shape of the beginning phase of attacking a [[copepod]].
| image4            = Herringjuvenilekils.jpg
| width4            = 267
| alt4              = 
| caption4          = Still transparent juvenile herring, about 38 mm long and 3 months old: Visible are the [[otolith]]s, the gut, the silvery [[swimbladder]], and the heart.
}}

{{clear}}

==Ecology==

===Prey===
{{See also|Hunting copepods}}

Herrings consume [[copepod]]s, [[arrow worm]]s, [[Hyperiidae|pelagic amphipod]]s, [[mysid]]s, and [[krill]] in the [[pelagic zone]]. Conversely, they are a central prey item or [[forage fish]] for higher [[trophic level]]s. The reasons for this success are still enigmatic; one speculation attributes their dominance to the huge, extremely fast cruising [[Shoaling and schooling|schools]] they inhabit.

Herring feed on [[phytoplankton]], and as they mature, they start to consume larger organisms. They also feed on zooplankton, tiny animals found in [[ocean]]ic [[photic zone|surface waters]], and small fish and fish larvae. Copepods and other tiny crustaceans are the most common zooplankton eaten by herring. During daylight, herring stay in the safety of deep water, feeding at the surface only at night when the chance of being seen by predators is less. They swim along with their mouths open, filtering the plankton from the water as it passes through their gills.
Young herring mostly hunt copepods individually, by means of "particulate feeding" or "raptorial feeding",<ref name=Kils1992>Kils U (1992) ''[https://archive.today/20001015111747/http://cbl.umces.edu/fogarty/usglobec/news/news8/news8.atoll.html The ATOLL Laboratory and other Instruments Developed at Kiel]'' U.S. GLOBEC News, Technology Forum Number 8: 6–9.</ref> a feeding method also used by adult herring on larger prey items like krill. If prey concentrations reach very high levels, as in microlayers, at fronts, or directly below the surface, herring become [[filter feeder]]s, driving several meters forward with wide open mouth and far expanded [[operculum (fish)|opercula]], then closing and cleaning the [[gill raker]]s for a few milliseconds.

Copepods, the primary zooplankton, are a major item on the forage fish menu. Copepods are typically {{convert|1-2|mm|in|frac=32|abbr=on}} long, with a teardrop-shaped body. Some scientists say they form the largest animal [[biomass]] on the planet.<ref>[http://www.uni-oldenburg.de/zoomorphology/Biology.html Biology of Copepods] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101205840/http://www.uni-oldenburg.de/zoomorphology/Biology.html |date=2009-01-01 }} at [[Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg]]</ref> Copepods are very alert and evasive. They have large [[Antenna (biology)|antennae]] (see photo below left). When they spread their antennae, they can sense the pressure wave from an approaching fish and jump with great speed over a few centimetres. If copepod concentrations reach high levels, schooling herrings adopt a method called [[ram feeding]]. In the photo below, herring ram feed on a school of copepods. They swim with their mouths wide open and their operculae fully expanded.

{{multiple image
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 | image1    = Copepodkils.jpg
 | width1    = 215
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 | caption1  = This copepod has its antennae spread. The antennae detect the pressure wave of an approaching fish.
 | image2    = Herringramkils.jpg
 | width2    = 253
 | alt2      = 
 | caption2  = School of herrings [[ram feed]]ing on a school of [[copepod]]s with [[Operculum (fish)|opercula]] and mouth expanded: The fish swim in a grid with a distance of the jump length of their prey, as indicated by the animation at the right.
 | image3    = Synchropredation.gif
 | width3    = 255
 | alt3      = 
 | caption3  = Animation showing how herrings hunt in a synchronised way to capture an alert and evasive copepod
}}

{{clear}}

The fish swim in a grid where the distance between them is the same as the jump length of their prey, as indicated in the animation above right. In the animation, juvenile herring hunt the copepods in this synchronised way. The copepods sense with their antennae the pressure wave of an approaching herring and react with a fast escape jump. The length of the jump is fairly constant. The fish align themselves in a grid with this characteristic jump length. A copepod can dart about 80 times before it tires. After a jump, it takes it 60 milliseconds to spread its antennae again, and this time delay becomes its undoing, as the almost endless stream of herring allows a herring to eventually snap up the copepod. A single juvenile herring could never catch a large copepod.<ref name=Kils1992 />

Other pelagic prey eaten by herring includes fish eggs, larval [[snail]]s, [[diatom]]s by herring larvae below {{convert|20|mm|in|frac=16|abbr=on}}, [[tintinnid]]s by larvae below {{convert|45|mm|in|frac=16|abbr=on}}, [[mollusc]]an larvae, [[menhaden]] larvae, [[krill]], [[mysid]]s, smaller fishes, [[pteropod]]s, [[annelid]]s, ''[[Calanus]]'' spp., [[Centropagidae]], and ''[[Meganyctiphanes norvegica]]''.

Herrings, along with [[Atlantic cod]] and [[Sprattus sprattus|sprat]], are the most important commercial species to humans in the Baltic Sea.<ref name="Koster2001">Friedrich W. Köster, et al. "Developing Baltic Cod Recruitment Models. I. Resolving Spatial And Temporal Dynamics Of Spawning Stock And Recruitment For Cod, Herring, And Sprat." ''Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences'' 58.8 (2001): 1516. Academic Search Premier. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. p. 1516. [http://bioweb.coas.oregonstate.edu/~ciannellilab/cameo/articles/neuenfeldt/2001k%F6steretal.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://bioweb.coas.oregonstate.edu/~ciannellilab/cameo/articles/neuenfeldt/2001k%F6steretal.pdf |date=2022-10-09 }}</ref> The analysis of the stomach contents of these fish indicate Atlantic cod is the top predator, preying on the herring and sprat.<ref name=Koster2001 /><ref>Maris Plikshs, et al. "Developing Baltic Cod Recruitment Models. I. Resolving Spatial And Temporal Dynamics Of Spawning Stock And Recruitment For Cod, Herring, And Sprat." ''Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences'' 58.8 (2001): 1516. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Nov. 2011, p.1517 [http://0-web.ebscohost.com.patris.apu.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=c279867d-bd9d-41d5-a8b4-3b60f2c686b4@sessionmgr13&vid=2&hid=24]{{dead link|date=December 2017|bot=KAP03|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Sprat are competitive with herring for the same food resources. This is evident in the two species' [[vertical migration]] in the Baltic Sea, where they compete for the limited zooplankton available and necessary for their survival.<ref name="Casini2004">Casini, Michele, Cardinale, Massimiliano, and Arrheni, Fredrik. "Feeding preferences of herring (Clupea harengus) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus) in the southern Baltic Sea." ''ICES Journal of Marine Science'', 61 (2004): 1267–1277. Science Direct. Web. 22 November 2011. p. 1268. [https://archive.today/20130113024805/http://icesjms.oxfordjournals.org/content/61/8/1267.full.pdf+html]</ref> Sprat are highly selective in their diet and eat only zooplankton, while herring are more eclectic, adjusting their diet as they grow in size.<ref name=Casini2004 /> In the Baltic, copepods of the genus ''[[Acartia]]'' can be present in large numbers. However, they are small in size with a high escape response, so herring and sprat avoid trying to catch them. These copepods also tend to dwell more in surface waters, whereas herring and sprat, especially during the day, tend to dwell in deeper waters.<ref name=Casini2004 />

===Predators===
{{See also|Predator avoidance in schooling fish|Bait ball}}
[[File:Goéland argenté - Julien Salmon.jpg|thumb|left|{{center|Seabirds, like this [[European herring gull]], attack herring schools from above.}}]]
[[File:Humpback whale lunging through a herring school.jpg|thumb|right|{{center|Humpback whales attack herring schools by [[Lunge feeding|lunging]] from below.}}]]

[[Predator]]s of herring include [[seabirds]], marine mammals such as [[dolphins]], [[porpoises]], [[whales]], [[earless seal|seal]]s, and [[sea lion]]s, predatory fish such as [[sharks]], [[billfish]], [[tuna]], [[salmon]], [[striped bass]], [[cod]], and [[halibut]]. [[Fishermen]] also catch and eat herring.

The predators often cooperate in groups, using different techniques to panic or herd a school of herring into a tight [[bait ball]]. Different predatory species then use different techniques to pick the fish off in the bait ball. The [[sailfish]] raises its sail to make it appear much larger. [[Swordfish]] charge at high speed through the bait balls, slashing with their swords to kill or stun prey. They then turn and return to consume their "catch". [[Thresher shark]]s use their long tails to stun the shoaling fish. These sharks compact their prey school by swimming around them and splashing the water with their tails, often in pairs or small groups. They then strike them sharply with the upper lobe of their tails to stun them.<ref name="seitz">Seitz, J.C. [http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/PelagicThresher/PelagicThresher.html Pelagic Thresher] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524184335/http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/PelagicThresher/PelagicThresher.html |date=2011-05-24 }}. ''Florida Museum of Natural History.'' Retrieved on December 22, 2008.</ref> [[Spinner shark]]s charge vertically through the school, spinning on their axes with their mouths open and snapping all around. The sharks' momentum at the end of these spiraling runs often carries them into the air.<ref name="compagno">{{cite book |author=Compagno, L.J.V. |year=1984 |title=Sharks of the World: An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Shark Species Known to Date |place=Rome |publisher=Food and Agricultural Organisation |isbn=978-92-5-101384-7 |pages=466–468}}</ref><ref name="marinebio">{{cite web|url=http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=492|title=''Carcharhinus brevipinna'', Spinner Shark|publisher=MarineBio.org|access-date=May 9, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121220211227/http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=492|archive-date=December 20, 2012}}</ref>

Some whales [[lunge feed]] on bait balls.<ref>Reeves RR, Stewart BS, Clapham PJ and Powell J A (2002) [https://books.google.com/books?id=5CYXAQAAIAAJ&q=%22National+Audubon+Society+Guide+to+Marine+Mammals+of+the+World%22 ''National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529103634/https://books.google.com/books?id=5CYXAQAAIAAJ&q=%22National+Audubon+Society+Guide+to+Marine+Mammals+of+the+World%22&dq=%22National+Audubon+Society+Guide+to+Marine+Mammals+of+the+World%22&hl=en&ei=KA-UTbnGIoO4vQOhnJyJDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA |date=2016-05-29 }} Chanticleer Press. {{ISBN|9780375411410}}.</ref> Lunge feeding is an extreme feeding method, where the whale accelerates from below the bait ball to a high velocity and then opens its mouth to a large gape angle. This generates the water pressure required to expand its mouth and engulf and filter a huge amount of water and fish. Lunge feeding by [[rorqual]]s, a family of huge [[Baleen whale|baleen whales]] that includes the [[blue whale]], is said to be the largest [[Biomechanics|biomechanical]] event on Earth.<ref>Potvin J and Goldbogen JA (2009) [http://rsif.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/6/40/1005.full "Passive versus active engulfment: verdict from trajectory simulations of lunge-feeding fin whales ''Balaenoptera physalus''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222100831/http://rsif.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/6/40/1005.full |date=2015-12-22 }} ''J. R. Soc. Interface'', '''6'''(40): 1005–1025. {{doi|10.1098/rsif.2008.0492}}</ref>

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|{{multiple image
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 | caption2  = Swordfish slash at herrings with their swords
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 | caption4  = Spinner shark spin on their axis, snapping herrings as they go
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{{External media
|float=center
|width=300px
|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJvfjiCTvq4 Humpback Whale: Hunting Technique] – ''YouTube''
|video2=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quwebVjAEJA Bait Ball Feast] – ''[[Nature's Great Events]]''
}}
|}

{{clear}}

==Fisheries==
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 | image2    = Global capture of all herring.png
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 | caption2  = ↑&nbsp; All herrings 2010<ref name=FAOdata /><br />Green = ''Clupea'' herrings
 | image3    = <!-- add this here because it's presence corrects a scaling bug -->
}}

Adult herring are harvested for their flesh and eggs, and they are often used as [[Bait fish|baitfish]]. The trade in herring is an important sector of many economies around the world. In Europe, the fish has been called the "silver of the sea", and its trade has been so significant to many countries that it has been regarded as the most commercially important fishery in history.<ref>[http://www.coml.org/discoveries/discoveries/historical/hmap-important.htm Herring] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814022825/http://www.coml.org/discoveries/discoveries/historical/hmap-important.htm |date=2010-08-14 }}, from [http://www.coml.org/about Census of Marine Life] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804181601/http://www.coml.org/about |date=2010-08-04 }}, 2010.</ref>

[[File:Purse seining for herring, southeast Alaska, nd (COBB 212).jpeg|thumb|[[Purse seining]] for herring in southeast Alaska]]

{{clear left}}

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="text-align: left;"
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 | image1    = Global capture of true herring.png
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 | caption1  = ↑&nbsp; ''Clupea'' herrings, 1950–2010<ref name=FAOdata />
 | image2    = Global capture of non-true herring.png
 | alt2      = 
 | caption2  = ↑&nbsp; Other herrings, 1950–2010<ref name=FAOdata />
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{{clear}}

==As food==
[[File:Kipper.JPG|thumb|right|A [[kipper]] or split smoked herring]]
{{Main|Herring as food}}

Herring has been a [[staple food]] source since at least 3000 BC. The fish is served numerous ways, and many regional recipes are used: eaten raw, fermented, [[pickling|pickled]], or cured by other techniques, such as being smoked as [[kipper]]s.

Herring are very high in the long-chain [[omega-3 fatty acid]]s [[eicosapentaenoic acid|EPA]] and [[docosahexaenoic acid|DHA]].<ref>[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310164906.htm Cardiovascular Benefits Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Reviewed<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823070015/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310164906.htm |date=2010-08-23 }}</ref> They are a source of [[vitamin D]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Aro |first1=Tarja L. |last2=Larmo |first2=Petra S. |last3=Bäckman |first3=Christina H. |last4=Kallio |first4=Heikki P. |last5=Tahvonen |first5=Raija L. |date=2005-03-01 |title=Fatty Acids and Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Salted Herring (Clupea harengus) Products |journal=Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry |volume=53 |issue=5 |pages=1482–1488|doi=10.1021/jf0401221|pmid=15740028 |bibcode=2005JAFC...53.1482A |issn=0021-8561}}</ref>

[[Water pollution]] influences the amount of herring that may be safely consumed. For example, large Baltic herring slightly exceeds recommended limits with respect to [[Polychlorinated biphenyl|PCB]] and [[Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins|dioxin]], although some sources point out that the cancer-reducing effect of omega-3 fatty acids is statistically stronger than the [[carcinogen]]ic effect of PCBs and dioxins.<ref>[http://www.evira.fi/portal/en/evira/current_issues/?id=332 Risks and benefits are clarified by food risk assessment – Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005003740/http://www.evira.fi/portal/en/evira/current_issues/?id=332 |date=2007-10-05 }}</ref> The contaminant levels depend on the age of the fish which can be inferred from their size. Baltic herrings larger than {{Convert|17|cm|in|abbr=on}} may be eaten twice a month, while herrings smaller than 17&nbsp;cm can be eaten freely.<ref>[http://www.evira.fi/portal/en/food/dietary_advice_on_fish_consumption/ Dietary advice on fish consumption – Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718190641/http://www.evira.fi/portal/en/food/dietary_advice_on_fish_consumption/ |date=2010-07-18 }}</ref> [[Mercury in fish]] also influences the amount of fish that women who are pregnant or planning to be pregnant within the next one or two years may safely eat.{{cn|date=September 2025}}{{Relevance inline|date=September 2025}}

==History==
The herring has played a highly significant role in history both socially and economically. During the Middle Ages, herring prompted the founding of [[Great Yarmouth]] and [[Copenhagen]] and played a critical role in the medieval development of [[Amsterdam]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hunt|first1=Kathy|title=Herring A Global History|date=2017|publisher=Reaktion Books Ltd.|isbn=978-1-78023-831-9|page=7}}</ref> In 1274, while on his deathbed at the monastery of [[Fossanova Abbey|Fossanova]] (south of Rome, Italy), when encouraged to eat something to regain his strength, [[Thomas Aquinas]] asked for fresh herring.<ref> In Scotland[https://archive.org/stream/fontesvitaesthom00pr#page/332/mode/2up Process of Canonization of St. Thomas Aquinas, Testimony of Br. Peter of Montesangiovanni]</ref> In [[Scotland]], the herring industry became an important part of the economy of North Sea coastal communities.<ref name="z710">{{cite book | last=Goodlad | first=John | title=The Salt Roads | publisher=Birlinn | date=2023-08-03 | isbn=978-1-78027-828-5}}</ref> It reached its peak in the late 19th century, when a herring boom saw [[Shetland]] and its town [[Lerwick]] become known as the "herring capital of Europe".<ref name="z710"/><ref name="e555">{{cite web | last=Alexander | first=Michael | title=The Salt Roads: How did salt fish from Shetland become one of the staple foods of Europe? | website=The Courier | date=2022-10-15 | url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/past-times/3757756/the-salt-roads-how-did-salt-fish-from-shetland-become-one-of-the-staple-foods-of-europe/ | access-date=2025-10-23}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="text-align: left;"
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|{{multiple image
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 | caption1  = Still life with herring and stoneware jug, [[Georg Flegel]], c. 1600
 | image2    = Pieter Claesz 003.jpg
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 | alt2      = 
 | caption2  = Still life with a glass of beer and smoked herring on a plate, [[Pieter Claesz]] 1636
 | image3    = Van Gogh - Stillleben mit Bücklingen auf gelbem Papier.jpeg
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 | caption3  = Still Life with smoked herrings on yellow paper, [[Van Gogh]] 1889
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 | caption4  = ''Blue herrings'', [[Engels Kozlov]] 1965
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 | caption1  = The [[herring buss]] 1789
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 | caption2  = Norse herring boat
 | image3    = Reaper, Port Seton - geograph.org.uk - 830833.jpg
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 | caption3  = [[Reaper (sailing vessel)|''Reaper'']], typical of the herring boats that used to operate in Scotland during the early twentieth century
 | image4    = Steam Drifter Lydia Eva.jpg
 | width4    = 236
 | alt4      = 
 | caption4  = The last surviving steam [[drifter (fishing boat)|drifter]] of the [[Great Yarmouth]] herring fleet, Norfolk. Drifters were designed to catch herrings in a long [[drift net]].
}}

{{multiple image
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| image1            = Herring monger.jpg
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| caption1          = [[Fish wife|Herring monger]], c. 1500
| image2            = Olausmagnus scaniamarket.jpg
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| caption2          = Medieval herring fishing in [[Scania Market|Scania]], 1555
| image3            = Haringpakkerij (Nu Prins Hendrikkade) - Amsterdam.PNG
| width3            = 257
| alt3              = 
| caption3          = 17th century herring factory in Amsterdam
| image4            = Processing river herrings.jpg
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| caption4          = Processing river herrings<ref>[http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/sos/spsyn/af/herring/ River herring] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407205018/http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/sos/spsyn/af/herring/ |date=2012-04-07 }} ''NEFSC'', NOAA. Updated December 2006.</ref>
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 | caption1  = The Dutch herring fleet, c. 1700
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 | alt2      = 
 | caption2  = Barrels for storing salted herring, c. 1465 at the archaeological site of [[Walraversijde]], Belgium
 | image3    = Nishin-Goten1.jpg
 | width3    = 213
 | alt3      = 
 | caption3  = Japanese Pacific herring fisherman's house in the historic village of Hokkaidō, [[Sapporo]]
 | image4    = Making herring oil.jpg
 | width4    = 209
 | alt4      = 
 | caption4  = Press for extracting oil from herrings in the historic village
}}

[[File:The Crown, Everleigh, Wiltshire.jpg|thumb|320px|"Last Tuesday se'nnight three men met at the Crown Inn, [[Everleigh, Wiltshire|Everley]], and for a trifling wager, ate 6o red herrings, with three half-gallon loaves, and drank six gallons of beer"<ref>''Salisbury and Winchester Journal'', 9 January 1792.</ref> – 1792]]

{{clear}}

|}

==See also==
*[[Herringbone pattern]]

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{Refbegin|40em}}
* {{FishBase genus |genus = Clupea |month = January |year = 2006 }}
* Dewhurst HW (1834) [https://archive.org/details/naturalhistoryo00dewhgoog/page/n294 <!-- pg=232 --> ''Clupea harengis'' or the common herring] In: ''The Natural History of the Order Cetacea'', Oxford University. Pages 232–246.
* Geffen, Audrey J (2009) [https://archive.today/20130415141435/http://icesjms.oxfordjournals.org/content/66/8/1688.full Advances in herring biology: from simple to complex, coping with plasticity and adaptability:] ''ICES Journal of Marine Science'', '''66''' (8): 1688–1695.
* Gilpen JB (1867) [http://dalspace.library.dal.ca/bitstream/handle/10222/10175/NSIS_v01_Pt01_Gilpin_Common_herring.pdf?sequence=1 "On the common herring (''Clupea elongata'')"] ''Proceedings and Transactions of the Nova-Scotian Institute of Natural Science'', '''1''' (1): 4–11.
* O'Clair, Rita M. and O'Clair, Charles E., "Pacific herring," ''Southeast Alaska's Rocky Shores: Animals''. pg. 343–346. Plant Press: Auke Bay, Alaska (1998). {{ISBN|0-9664245-0-6}}
* Stephenson RL (2001) [https://web.archive.org/web/20130516053754/http://nsgl.gso.uri.edu/aku/akuw00001/akuw00001_part1.pdf#page=11 The role of herring investigations in shaping fisheries science] In F. Funk, J. Blackburn, D. Hay, A.J. Paul, R. Stephen- son, R. Toresen, and D. Witherell (eds.) ''Herrings: Expectations for a New Millennium'', Alaska Sea Grant College Program. AK-SG-01-04. pp.&nbsp;1–20. {{ISBN|1-56612-070-5}}.
* Stephenson, R. L., Melvin, G. D., and Power, M. J. (2009) [https://archive.today/20130415150903/http://icesjms.oxfordjournals.org/content/66/8/1733.full "Population integrity and connectivity in Northwest Atlantic herring: a review of assumptions and evidence"] ''ICES Journal of Marine Science'', '''66''': 1733–1739.
* Whitehead PJP, Nelson GJ and Wongratana T (1988) FAO species catalogue, volume 2: ''Clupeoid Fishes of the World'', [http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/t0835e/t0835e00.htm Suborder Clupeoidei] FAO Fisheries Synopsis '''125''', Rome. {{ISBN|92-5-102340-9}}. [ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/t0835e/t0835e.zip Download ZIP (16 MB)]{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
{{Refend}}

== Further reading ==
* Baltic Fisheries Cooperation Committee (1995) [https://books.google.com/books?id=PXoEi7eDXAYC ''Utilization and Marketing of Baltic Herring''] Nordic Council of Ministers. {{ISBN|9789291207749}}.
* [[Henry Bryant Bigelow|Bigelow HB]] and Schroeder WC (1953) [http://www.gma.org/fogm/Clupea_harengus.htm ''Fishes of the Gulf of Maine''] Pages 88–100, Fishery Bulletin '''74'''(53), NOAA. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130221174143/http://fisherybulletin.nmfs.noaa.gov/53-1/bonyfishes80-100.pdf pdf version]
* Dodd JS (1752) [https://books.google.com/books?id=D5paAAAAYAAJ ''An essay toward a natural history of the herring''] Original from the New York Public Library.
* Mitchell JM (1864) [https://archive.org/details/herringitsnatur00mitcgoog ''The herring: its natural history and national importance''] Edmonston and Douglas. Original from the University of Wisconsin.
* Postan MM, Miller E and Habakkuk HJ (1987) [https://books.google.com/books?id=cHRvtwTLcMAC&pg=PA171 ''The Cambridge Economic History of Europe: Trade and industry in the Middle Ages''] Cambridge University Press. {{ISBN|9780521087094}}.
* Poulsen B (2008) [https://books.google.com/books?id=xmngYNeh6UsC ''Dutch Herring: An Environmental History, C. 1600–1860''] Amsterdam University Press. {{ISBN|9789052603049}}.
* [[Arthur Samuel, 1st Baron Mancroft|Samuel AM]] (1918) [https://archive.org/stream/herringitseffect00samuuoft ''The herring: its effect on the history of Britain''] J. Murray. Original from the University of Michigan.
* Stephenson F (2007) [https://books.google.com/books?id=9dI-4BLu0uwC ''Herring Fishermen: Images of an Eastern North Carolina Tradition''] The History Press. {{ISBN|9781596292697}}.
* Waters B (1809) [https://books.google.com/books?id=v6MTAAAAYAAJ ''Letters upon the subject of the herring fishery: addressed to the secretary of the Honourable the Board for the Herring Fishery at Edinburgh, to which is added, a petition to the lords of the treasury on the same subject''] Original from Harvard University. 

==External links==
{{Commons category|Clupea harengus}}
{{Cookbook}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20031119010211/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/11/1110_031110_herringfarts.html Herring "communicate" by flatulence] from National Geographic (2003)
* [http://www.gma.org/herring/default.asp Atlantic Herring] from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute
* [http://www.healthaliciousness.com/nutritionfacts/nutrition-comparison.php?o=15042&t=15041&h=15040&s=100&e=100&r=100 Nutrition Facts for Herring]
* [http://sciencenordic.com/prospecting-herring-waste Prospecting herring waste – from ScienceNordic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905074818/http://sciencenordic.com/prospecting-herring-waste |date=2012-09-05 }}
* [http://www.pnas.org/content/109/47/19345.full?sid=2007e889-3e3f-4b13-b4ea-01e94b41d857 PNAS Population-scale sequencing reveals genetic differentiation due to local adaptation in Atlantic herring.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424090908/http://www.pnas.org/content/109/47/19345.full?sid=2007e889-3e3f-4b13-b4ea-01e94b41d857 |date=2021-04-24 }}

{{herrings|state=expanded}}
{{Commercial fish topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Clupeidae]]
[[Category:Seafood]]
[[Category:Commercial fish]]
[[Category:Oily fish]]
[[Category:Fish common names]]