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DIVISION OF PISH AND GAME 



PACIFIC HERRING 

 Clupea pallasii 



Relationship: Belongs to the herring family, Clupeidae, as do the Pacific sardine 

 and the shad. Members of this family are found throughout the world and support 

 many important fisheries. 



Distinguishing Characters: The single, short dorsal fin near the middle of the 

 back ; the absence of scales on the head ; the absence of a lateral line ; the absence of 

 ridges on the gill cover (separating it from the sardine) ; the breast and belly with low. 

 sharp points but not drawn to a saw-tooth edge as in the shad. Length to about 18 

 inches. Color: Pinkish purple above, becoming silvery on the sides and below; sides 

 without black spots. 



Distribution: Alaska at least to the Mexican border 

 the Asiatic side. A schooling fish. 



Fishing Season: December into the late summer, with the great bulk of the 

 catch landed from January through March. Taken chiefly in Humboldt, Tomales, San 

 Francisco, Monterey and San Diego Bays. 



Importance: Supports one of the State's minor fisheries, though it is one of 

 the more important market species in the San Francisco region. Heaviest landings are 

 made at San Francisco, followed by Eureka and Monterey. Most of the catch was sold 

 fresh until 1947, when a considerable quantity was canned in Central California. 



Fishing Gear: Gill nets, round haul nets, beach seines. 



to Japan and China on 



