The Araucanian herring (Strangomera bentincki) is a small, schooling pelagic fish native to the southeastern Pacific Ocean, particularly off the coasts of Chile. It plays a crucial ecological role as forage for larger marine predators and is a key species in the region’s commercial fisheries. Chile is by far the leading country in harvesting Araucanian herring, with its fisheries centered around the central and southern coastal regions where the species is most abundant. The fishing industry primarily targets Araucanian herring for reduction into fishmeal and fish oil, which are vital commodities for global aquaculture and livestock feed. The fishery is highly industrialized, featuring large purse seine fleets and modern processing facilities. While neighboring Peru also has significant pelagic fisheries, its focus is more on anchoveta rather than Araucanian herring, making Chile the dominant force in the global catch of this species.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chile | 223,935 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.