They’re small. They stink. They’re unremarkable looking. You wouldn’t ever intentionally eat one, although you’ve undoubtedly consumed one or used a product that contains menhaden. So while you may never have heard of it, this small baitfish from the herring family is possibly the most important fish that swims in the ocean.

Menhaden oil is used in everyday products like lipstick, cookies, salad dressing, margarine, and fish oil supplements.

Native Americans called them munnawhatteug—which means “that which fertilizes”—and used menhaden to enrich the soil.