Sild

Sild, or herring, is the common name for several species of small, oily fish in the family Clupeidae, widely distributed in the temperate waters of the Northern Hemisphere. The most commercially important species in many regions is the Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus). Other species referred to as sild include various members of the Clupea genus and related taxa.

Herring are typically 20 to 30 cm long, though they can reach around 40 cm. They have a laterally compressed body, a metallic blue-green back, and silvery sides and belly. They form large, densely schooling groups that undertake seasonal migrations between feeding grounds in deeper offshore waters and spawning or overwintering areas near coasts and in brackish waters such as estuaries and bays.

Herring feed mainly on zooplankton and small crustaceans. They reach maturity after a few years and have rapid growth rates. They are an important prey for larger predators, including marine mammals and larger fish, and support significant fisheries.

The species has long been exploited commercially and is culturally significant in the North Atlantic and Baltic regions. It is harvested for human consumption in many forms, including salted, pickled, smoked, or canned products. Fermented varieties exist in some traditions, such as surströmming, and vary by country and preservation method.

Management typically involves catch limits, seasonal closures, gear restrictions, and stock assessments to prevent overfishing and protect habitat and juvenile fish.