Herring
Fish
A slim, silver, schooling fish with a single soft dorsal fin, no lateral line markings, and scales that flake off very easily when handled.
Facts
- Historically one of the most economically important fish in British history, supporting entire fishing communities.
- Travels in vast, tightly-packed shoals, which is why herring were traditionally caught by the millions in drift nets.
- The soft, easily-shed scales are a natural defence — they make the fish slippery and harder for predators to grip.
UK fishing rules
No statutory UK-wide recreational size limit currently applies to shore-caught herring.
Where to catch Herring (1 mark)
| Mark | Region | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orford Quay | East | Autumn | Small feather rigs |