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Forage Forage Fish SNOHOMISH COUNTY MARINE FACT SHEET SNOHOMISH COUNTY MARINE FACT SHEET

Forage fish are small, schooling fish Common species Forage fish are small, schooling fish Common species common in the . Forage fish Three forage fish species of concern in common in the Puget Sound. Forage fish Three forage fish species of concern in are not a phylogenetic group, but rather Snohomish County are: are not a phylogenetic group, but rather Snohomish County are: an ecological group. They are consid- an ecological group. They are consid- ered forage fish because they feed, or Pacific ( harengus pallasi) ered forage fish because they feed, or (Clupea harengus pallasi) forage, on marine . Forage fish — Grows up to 9 inches long. Bluish forage, on marine plankton. Forage fish — Grows up to 9 inches long. Bluish are extremely important links in the green to olive dorsal with silvery sides. are extremely important links in the green to olive dorsal with silvery sides. marine ecological . No adipose fin. Large scales on body; marine ecological food web. No adipose fin. Large scales on body; none on the head and tail. The largest none on the head and tail. The largest Did you know? stock is in the Cherry Point area Did you know? stock is in the Cherry Point area Juvenile Chinook depend on (northern Puget Sound). Juvenile depend on (northern Puget Sound). for 60% of their diet! sand lance for 60% of their diet!

Ecological significance Ecological significance Forage fish are best described as the Forage fish are best described as the Photo: Todd Bennett Photo: Todd Bennett Photo: Todd Bennett middle link in the . The- middle link in the marine food web. The- se small fish feed on microscopic, prima- Surf (Hypomesus pretiosus) — se small fish feed on microscopic, prima- Surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) — ry-producers like . In turn, Grows up to 9 inches long. Olive green ry-producers like phytoplankton. In turn, Grows up to 9 inches long. Olive green forage fish and their eggs are key menu dorsal, silver or yellow band on sides. forage fish and their eggs are key menu dorsal, silver or yellow band on sides. items for birds, seals, fish (including Adipose fin. Small scales. items for birds, seals, fish (including Adipose fin. Small scales. salmon), and other animals. In fact, for- salmon), and other animals. In fact, for- age fish are considered to be indicators age fish are considered to be indicators of health and productivity of marine of health and productivity of marine . ecosystems. The nearshore The nearshore Forage fish are obligate spawners in the Forage fish are obligate spawners in the Photo: WDFW Photo: WDFW Photo: WDFW nearshore. They deposit their eggs is nearshore. They deposit their eggs is vast quantities on nearshore vegetation Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapter- vast quantities on nearshore vegetation Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapter- and beaches. The nearshore also acts as us) — Grows up to 8 inches long. Gray to and beaches. The nearshore also acts as us) — Grows up to 8 inches long. Gray to a nursery for juvenile forage fish, which green dorsal, silver sides. Large dorsal a nursery for juvenile forage fish, which green dorsal, silver sides. Large dorsal take refuge and feed in the shallow, fin. Elongated pointed body. No adipose take refuge and feed in the shallow, fin. Elongated pointed body. No adipose vegetated waters. fin. Scales almost invisible. vegetated waters. fin. Scales almost invisible. Forage Fish Forage Fish Threats Threats While forage fish are generally considered to be abundant in Puget Sound, their popu- While forage fish are generally considered to be abundant in Puget Sound, their popu- lations are declining. A number of threats impact forage fish populations, many of lations are declining. A number of threats impact forage fish populations, many of which affect spawning grounds in the nearshore including: which affect spawning grounds in the nearshore including:  Bulkheads and other shoreline armoring can bury the upper intertidal zone, in-  Bulkheads and other shoreline armoring can bury the upper intertidal zone, in- crease erosion along the base of the structures and prevent renewal of fine beach crease erosion along the base of the structures and prevent renewal of fine beach sediments needed for surf smelt and sand lance. sediments needed for surf smelt and sand lance.  Tree removal along the shoreline can increase erosion and decrease shading.  Tree removal along the shoreline can increase erosion and decrease shading.  Dredging, pollution and shading can remove eelgrass beds or prevent them from  Dredging, pollution and shading can remove eelgrass beds or prevent them from thriving. thriving.  Commercial and recreational harvest, especially of herring stocks, has put pres-  Commercial and recreational harvest, especially of herring stocks, has put pres- sure on forage fish populations. sure on forage fish populations.

Local protection efforts Local protection efforts Snohomish County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) participates in annual forage Snohomish County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) participates in annual forage fish spawning surveys along shoreline between Everett and Mukilteo. The MRC is also fish spawning surveys along shoreline between Everett and Mukilteo. The MRC is also leading a nearshore restoration project in leading a nearshore habitat restoration project in this area. The MRC is surveying the nearshore for this area. The MRC is surveying the nearshore for forage fish eggs before, and after this restoration. forage fish eggs before, and after this restoration. Forage fish depend on nearshore for spawning Forage fish depend on nearshore for spawning and rearing. and rearing.

Resources Resources  Snohomish MRC: www.snocomrc.org/  Snohomish MRC: www.snocomrc.org/  Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership Technical Forage fish eggs in sediment  Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership Technical Forage fish eggs in sediment Report 2007-03, Marine Forage in Puget Sound, Dan Penttila Report 2007-03, Marine Forage Fishes in Puget Sound, Dan Penttila

How you can get involved How you can get involved The MRC is a citizen-based volunteer committee appointed by the Snohomish County The MRC is a citizen-based volunteer committee appointed by the Snohomish County Council. It is one of seven county-based MRC's, which conduct restoration, conserva- Council. It is one of seven county-based MRC's, which conduct restoration, conserva- tion, and education projects with diverse partners and community members to meet tion, and education projects with diverse partners and community members to meet performance benchmarks. performance benchmarks.