Northern Anchovy

School of anchovy

About the Species

U.S. wild-caught northern anchovies are a smart seafood choice because they are sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.

Although northern anchovies are thought to be abundant, the population levels are unknown.

At recommended levels.

The gear used to catch northern anchovies is used at the surface and has little impact on habitat.

Bycatch is low because the gear is selective.

Formal stock assessments are not conducted for either the northern or central subpopulations of anchovies, but data is collected to help monitor the populations.
The northern sub-population has never been formally assessed, but is thought to be abundant, and has a defined overfishing limit.
The central sub-population was last assessed in 1995, and has a defined overfishing limit.

Northern anchovies are small, compressed fish with long snouts that overhang a large mouth.
They are bluish-green above and silvery below, and adults have a faint silver stripe on the side.

Northern anchovies grow quickly, up to about 7 inches.
They have a short life cycle; they are able to spawn after 2 years and rarely live longer than 4 years.
They have high natural mortality; each year 45 to 55 percent of the total stock would die of natural causes if no fishing occurred.
Northern anchovies spawn throughout the year, with peak activity from February to April.
Females release batches of eggs every 7 to 10 days. The eggs hatch in 2 to 4 days, depending on the temperature of the water.
Northern anchovies feed on plankton (tiny floating plants and animals).
They are an important part of the food chain for other fish species, including many recreationally and commercially important fish, as well as birds and marine mammals.

Northern anchovies are found from British Columbia to Baja California and in the Gulf of California.
Northern anchovies are divided into two sub-populations in the United States:
- The northern sub-population is found off Oregon and Washington.
- The central sub-population ranges from California to Baja California, Mexico.

NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council manage this fishery.
Northern anchovies are managed under the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan:
- Monitored through landings data. If landings increase significantly, or exceed the annual catch limit, then managers may make management changes.
- Limits on the number and capacity of vessels in the fishery.
- Regulations to reduce bycatch.

Federal management is coordinated with state fisheries management agencies so that regulations are consistent in state waters (within 3 miles of shore). All states follow federal regulations but some have additional regulations.