The Broad Striped Anchovy (*Anchoa hepsetus*) is a small, schooling fish found primarily in the western Atlantic Ocean, from New York down to Brazil, and is easily recognized by its elongated body and prominent silver stripe. This species is important both ecologically, as forage for larger fish and seabirds, and economically, particularly in artisanal and small-scale commercial fisheries. The leading countries harvesting Broad Striped Anchovy include Brazil, Venezuela, and other coastal nations in the Caribbean and northern South America, where the fish is caught using purse seines and beach seines. While not as heavily exploited as other anchovy species like the Peruvian anchovy, the Broad Striped Anchovy supports local food markets and is sometimes processed into fishmeal or used as bait in larger fisheries. The fishing industry for this species remains mostly regional, with catches contributing to local economies and diets.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.