Surf Smelt

Overview

Species Common Name Surf Smelt
Species Scientific Name Hypomesus pretiosus

Ecoregions

Nearshore

The Nearshore ecoregion includes a variety of habitats ranging from submerged high-relief rocky reefs to broad expanses of intertidal mudflats in estuaries and hosts a vast array of fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, birds, plants, and micro-organisms. This ecoregion encompasses the area from the outer boundary of Oregon’s Territorial Sea to the supra-tidal zone, and up into the estuaries.

Special needs

Intertidal spawning habitat on beaches.

Limiting factors

Localized population ranges. Spawning habitat.

Data gaps

Population abundance in Oregon unknown.

Conservation actions

Federal and state forage fish fishery management plan.

Key reference or plan

Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 1: Protecting Unfished and Unmanaged Forage Fish Species

Life History Traits