Forage fish are small but mighty fish species, serving as the main pathway by which energy can travel from zoo- and phytoplankton to predators higher up the food chain. The essential ecosystem services they offer help keep our fisheries stable—and they also offer key economic benefits from direct catch.

The Forage Fish Conservation Act will help ensure the responsible management of these species, such as developing a clear definition of forage fish, providing science-based recommendations for fishery management, and weighing the impacts on marine ecosystems and existing fisheries before approving new commercial fisheries.