Löja

Löja is the Swedish common name for the sprat, Sprattus sprattus, a small pelagic fish in the family Clupeidae. Sprats are slender, silvery fish typically reaching about 7 to 12 centimeters in length. They have a streamlined body and a fine, sometimes faint, dark dorsal shading with a noticeable lateral line.

Distribution and habitat: Löja occurs in the shallow coastal and shelf waters of the northeast Atlantic, including the Baltic Sea, North Sea and adjacent waters. It forms large schools near the surface, with seasonal movements driven by temperature, salinity and food availability. Löja can inhabit brackish estuarine environments as well as fully marine waters.

Biology: Löja feeds mainly on zooplankton such as copepods and other small crustaceans. Reproduction occurs in spring through summer, with pelagic eggs that drift with currents. Individuals typically live several years, and population dynamics are influenced by ocean conditions, food supply and predation.

Fisheries and uses: Löja supports commercial fisheries in several European seas. It is caught primarily by pelagic purse seines and midwater trawls. The catch is used for direct human consumption—smoked, salted, or canned sprats—as well as for fishmeal or oil in some cases. They are also valued as a forage species in marine ecosystems.

Ecology and management: As a key forage fish, löja links plankton to larger predators such as cod, haddock, seabirds and marine mammals. Stock status fluctuates with environmental conditions and predation. Management is coordinated by international bodies (including ICES and regional fishery organizations), employing quotas and conservation measures to mitigate overfishing.