Atlantic herring

a.k.a. Clupea harengus, common herring, labrador herring, Atlantic sardine, sperling

Health Details

• Adults and children can safely eat more than 4 meals per month
• Low contaminants
• High in heart-healthy omega-3s

More About Atlantic herring

The silvery Atlantic herring lives in large schools that migrate and spawn in complex patterns. At night, herring migrate from deeper waters to the surface. Herring schools can quickly flit from predators. Herring average 1.5 feet (46 cm) in length.

Commercial Sources

Atlantic herring are found in the North Atlantic Ocean. In the eastern Atlantic, they occur from the Baltic Sea to the northern Bay of Biscay off France, and around Iceland. In the western Atlantic, they range from Greenland and Labrador to South Carolina.
The main source of Atlantic herring is Norway followed by Iceland and Canada.

Capture Methods

Atlantic herring come from marine fisheries, not fish farms. They are primarily caught with midwater trawls. Additional types of fishing gear include purse seines and bottom trawls.

Buying & Eating Guide

Flavor and Texture

When cooked fresh, herring has a high-fat, fine, soft texture. Cured, it takes on firmer texture and absorbs curing flavors.