Atlantic menhaden

Atlantic menhaden is a schooling clupeid fish native to the western Atlantic Ocean. It filters plankton from the water and supports major fisheries and coastal food webs.

Clupeidae: Clupeidae is a family of mostly schooling, silvery fishes that includes herrings, sardines, and menhadens. Menhaden belong to this family of schooling fishes.
Menhaden fishery: The menhaden fishery harvests menhaden for products including fish meal, fish oil, and bait. Atlantic menhaden support one of the largest commercial fisheries on the U.S. East Coast.
Forage fish: Forage fish are small schooling fish that transfer energy from plankton to larger predators. Menhaden are a prominent forage fish in Atlantic coastal ecosystems.
Gulf menhaden: Gulf menhaden is a clupeid fish native to the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent waters. It is a close relative with a separate range and fishery.
Filter feeding: Filter feeding is a feeding strategy that removes suspended food particles from water. Menhaden use specialized gill structures to consume plankton.
Reduction fishery: A reduction fishery processes whole fish into products such as fish meal and fish oil. Much of the industrial catch is processed rather than sold as food fish.
Striped bass: Striped bass is a predatory fish native to the Atlantic coast of North America. Menhaden are an important prey item for striped bass.
Hickory shad: Hickory shad is a migratory clupeid fish found along the Atlantic coast of North America. Despite its Atlantic range and schooling behavior, it is a different species.
Zooplankton: Zooplankton are drifting aquatic animals and animal-like organisms that form a major part of marine food webs. These organisms are among the prey filtered by menhaden.
Bait fishery: A bait fishery harvests fish for use as bait in commercial and recreational fishing. Menhaden are widely used as bait for species such as blue crabs and striped bass.

Linked from 6 pages