European sprat

The sprat is a small silvery fish that swims in coastal waters from Europe to North Africa. Often caught for food, it can be smoked, fried, or canned like its cousin the sardine. These fish travel in large schools, making them important both for ocean ecosystems and human fisheries.

• Sprats are sometimes called brisling or Baltic herring depending on the region.
• Fishermen catch sprats both for human meals and to make fish meal.
• They belong to the same family as herring and sardines.