Clupea Collection

Killer Whales / Orcas (Orcinus orca)
Killer whales / Orcas (Orcinus orca) large pod including calf traveling together while foraging on large schools of Herring (Clupea harengus) in the cold waters of northern Norway, January

Killer whale (Orcinus orca) pod hunting together in herring baitball (Clupea harengus), Andenes, Andoya island, North Atlantic Ocean, Norway, April

Museum scientists holding Oarfish specimen
Regalecus glesne. From left to right: Graham Pellow, Colin McCarthy, Prof. Philip Rainbow, Dr. Roger Lincoln, Ollie Crimmen and Sir Neil Chalmers

European pilchard, Sardina pilchardus (Pilchard, Clupea pilchardus). Handcoloured copperplate drawn and engraved by Edward Donovan from his Natural History of British Fishes, Donovan and F.C. and J

Killer whale (Orcinus orca) diving and hunting for herring fish (Clupea harengus), Andenes, Andoya island, North Atlantic Ocean, Norway, April

Killer whale (Orcinus orca) hunting for herring fish (Clupea harengus), Andenes, Andoya island, North Atlantic Ocean, Norway, April

Killer whale (Orcinus orca) hunting inside herring baitball (Clupea harengus), Andenes, Andoya island, North Atlantic Ocean, Norway, April

Killer whale (Orcinus orca) adult male surfacing at dusk surrounded by birds, who watch for herrings (Clupea harengus) left after they have fed, Andenes, Andoya island, North Atlantic Ocean, Norway

The Shad, from A Treatise on Fish and Fish-ponds, pub. 1832 (hand coloured engraving)
3471572 The Shad, from A Treatise on Fish and Fish-ponds, pub. 1832 (hand coloured engraving) by Albin, Eleazar (fl.1713-59); (add.info.: mother of herrings; ); The Stapleton Collection; English

Malabar thryssa, Blochs gizzard shad
Malabar thryssa, Thryssa malabarica 146, Blochs gizzard shad, Nematalosa nasus 147, French fishermen fishing for sardines and anchovies using lamps and special nets called rissoles

Sardine, ilisha, and sardine smokehouse
Sardine, Sardina pilchardus 143, West African ilisha, Ilisha africana 144, and fish wives smoking sardines in a smokehouse

Indo-Pacific tarpon and Chinese gizzard shad
Indo-Pacific tarpon, Megalops cyprinoides 140, Chinese gizzard shad, Clupanodon thrissa 141. Coopers making barrels for salted and pickled fish

Herring, oarfish and drift-net fishing
Herring, Clupea harengus 132, oarfish, Regalecus species 133, and North Sea fishermen using drift nets to catch herring from boats

Wingfin anchovy, Pterengraulis atherinoides (Silver-striped herring, Clupea atherinoides). Illustration drawn and engraved by Richard Polydore Nodder

Herring, sprat and shad
Herring, Clupea harengus, sprat, Sprattus sprattus, and shad, Alosa alosa. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Plee Jr. after an illustration by Jean-Gabriel Pretre from Bernard Germain de

Gurnard, needlefish, cowfish, herring and porcupinefish
Gurnard, Chelidonichthys species 1, needlefish, Belone belone 2, longhorn cowfish, Lactoria cornuta 3, herring, Clupea harengus 4, and few-spined porcupinefish, Chilomycterus reticulatus 5

Allis shad, Alosa alosa (Shad, Clupea alosa). Handcoloured copperplate drawn and engraved by Edward Donovan from his Natural History of British Fishes, Donovan and F.C. and J

European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus (Anchovy, Clupea encrasicolus). Handcoloured copperplate drawn and engraved by Edward Donovan from his Natural History of British Fishes, Donovan and F.C

Atlantic salmon, tuna, herring and mackerel
Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar 1, tuna, Thunnus species 2, Atlantic herring, Clupea harengus 3, and Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus 4

The Shad, from A Treatise on Fish and Fish-ponds, pub. 1832 (hand coloured engraving)

Clupea harengus, or Atlantic Herring, an abundant species of the Clupeidae family. Date: 1865

Three Sardines, side view

Hot smoked Buckling

Herring illustration

Clupea finta, twaite shad
Page 68 by W Houghton from his British Freshwater Fishes, 1879

Scientists at play, 1899
An attendant in the Botany Library, Robert Hugh Bunting captured his colleagues at play in this humorous private photograph of Museum life taken in 1899

Clupea alosa, shad
Plate 57 by Edward Donovan from his British Fishes, Vol 1, 1802

Larus argentatus, herring gull
Plate 291 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1834-35), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London

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"Clupea: The Lifeline of Marine Ecosystems" In the vast oceanic realm, a symphony of life unfolds as clupea, commonly known as herring, takes center stage. These small but mighty fish play an indispensable role in sustaining the delicate balance of marine ecosystems worldwide. As dawn breaks on the horizon, killer whales or Orcas (Orcinus orca) emerge from the depths with a purposeful mission. A pod of these majestic creatures embarks on a synchronized hunt within a mesmerizing spectacle called a herring baitball (Clupea harengus). With strategic precision and teamwork, they encircle their prey, European pilchard and Sardina pilchardus alike. Witnessing this extraordinary display is awe-inspiring; Killer whales diving gracefully into the depths to seize their prize - herring fish (Clupea harengus). Their sleek bodies glide effortlessly through the water as they navigate through shimmering schools harengus. At dusk's arrival, an adult male Orca emerges from beneath the surface surrounded by birds seeking refuge amidst his presence. This magnificent creature represents not only power but also harmony between species - united by their shared reliance on Clupea harengus or Atlantic Herring. Throughout history, humans have recognized clupea's significance. Dating back to 1832 when "The Shad, " depicted in hand-colored engravings showcased its importance in fish-ponds and fisheries. From Malabar thryssa to Blochs gizzard shad and sardine smokehouses - cultures across continents celebrate this remarkable species' versatility. From Indo-Pacific tarpon to Chinese gizzard shad, various aquatic inhabitants depend on clupea for sustenance. Its abundance supports thriving ecosystems while ensuring survival for countless marine organisms that rely on its nourishment. However, human activities such as drift-net fishing pose significant threats to clupea populations.