Pacific herring: Species profiles, life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Pacific Southwest)

Technical Report · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5801808

Barnhart, R A

Species profiles are literature summaries of the taxonomy, morphology, distribution, life history, and environmental requirements of coastal aquatic species. They are prepared to assist in environmental impact assessment. The Pacific herring, Clupea harengus pallasi, spawns in intertidal and subtidal waters of the Pacific coast during the winter-spring season. In California, female herring average about 220 eggs per gram body weight. Herring are fished commercially primarily during the spawning season to obtain herring roe for export to Japan. Herring have a significant ecological role; herring spawn deposits attract many predators, and the abundant herring larvae and juveniles found in estuaries and nearshore waters serve as food for larger sea life. Herring embryos and larvae are fairly plastic regarding temperature and salinity, and survival probably depends largely on extent of predation and food supply. Excessive turbidity hinders the spawning and incubation of herring. Herring embryos, larvae, and juveniles are subject to various pollutants introduced into the estuarine environment. 60 refs., 4 figs.

• Research Organization: Humboldt State Univ., Arcata, CA (USA). California Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
• OSTI ID: 5801808
• Report Number(s): BR-82(11.79); TR-EL--82-4/82(11.79); ON: TI88900475
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990230 -- Mathematics & Mathematical Models-- (1987-1989)
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BASELINE ECOLOGY
BIOLOGY
COASTAL WATERS
ECOLOGY
ECOSYSTEMS
FISHES
HABITAT
LIFE CYCLE
PACIFIC OCEAN
SALINITY
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TAXONOMY
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
VERTEBRATES
WETLANDS