Silver darlings, Sild (when tinned or pickled)
Herring are small, slender fish with silvery sides and a blue-green back. They have a slightly forked tail and smooth, shiny scales. Typically 20–30cm in length, herring have oily, soft flesh that is rich in flavour and high in omega-3 fatty acids. When fresh, they have a clean sea scent and firm texture.
Herring are a pelagic species found in the northeast Atlantic, including the English Channel and Celtic Sea. They travel in large shoals and feed near the surface. In Cornwall, herring are traditionally caught during autumn and winter, with landings mainly from small inshore boats using ring nets or drift nets.
Sustainability Rating
Status: Herring stocks in the southwest are healthy and well managed, with seasonal fisheries helping to protect spawning populations.

Best Choice: Herring caught by Cornish vessels using ring nets or drift nets. These methods are highly selective with low bycatch and minimal environmental impact.

Avoid: Herring from industrial-scale fisheries with limited catch monitoring or from overfished regions.
Culinary Uses
Versatile and full of flavour, herring can be grilled, smoked, pickled, or fried.

Popular preparations include smoked kippers, rollmops, and fresh grilled fillets.

Pairs well with acidic or sweet-sour flavours that cut through its richness.
A traditional favourite in Scandinavian, Dutch, and British cuisine.
Best Fishing Practices
Cornish herring are caught using sustainable methods such as ring netting and drift netting.
These techniques are low-impact and target dense shoals with precision.
Fisheries are monitored and regulated to align with seasonal spawning and stock health.
Seasonality
Available mainly from October to February, when herring migrate close to shore to spawn.
Supporting Local, Sustainable Seafood
Choosing Cornish herring supports one of the UK’s most traditional and sustainable fisheries. Affordable, nutritious, and environmentally friendly, herring deserves a renewed place on modern menus for those seeking low-impact, high-flavour seafood.
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