Albies

Albies, also known as blueback herring, are an anadromous fish species belonging to the genus Alosa. They are native to the Atlantic coast of North America. These fish are small to medium in size, typically measuring between 10 to 15 inches in length. They have a streamlined body, a deeply forked tail, and a distinctive blue-green back that fades to silver on their sides and belly.

Albies are anadromous, meaning they spend most of their lives in saltwater but migrate to freshwater rivers and streams to spawn. Their spawning runs usually occur in the spring. The young fish spend their first year in freshwater before migrating to the ocean. They are pelagic fish, meaning they inhabit open waters, and are often found in schools.

The diet of albies consists mainly of small fish, crustaceans, and plankton. They are an important part of the marine ecosystem, serving as a food source for larger predatory fish, marine mammals, and birds. In some regions, albies have also been historically important for commercial and recreational fishing, though their populations have faced declines in recent decades due to factors such as overfishing, habitat degradation, and dam construction that impedes their migration. Conservation efforts are underway in various areas to help restore their populations.