How is the sustainability of anchovies and sardines generally viewed in comparison to larger predatory fish species in terms of population resilience?

Answer

Both species generally fare well because they are small forage fish that reproduce quickly.

From an environmental viewpoint, both anchovies and sardines are favored because they belong to the category of small forage fish. This classification means they have high reproductive rates and their populations tend to be significantly more resilient and quicker to recover from fishing pressure than larger, predatory fish species that reproduce more slowly. Therefore, as long as local fishery management practices are sound and the brand sourced is committed to traceable fishing, both species are generally considered environmentally sound choices.

How is the sustainability of anchovies and sardines generally viewed in comparison to larger predatory fish species in terms of population resilience?
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