(Galleguillos et al. 2012) studied the genetic structure of the Falkland sprat (Sprattus fuegensis) in its entire Chilean span, from the island of Chiloe, on the north, to the southern edge of the continent. The research concluded that it appears to be one only genetic pool and there are no differences in life parameters. Nevertheless, due to a high differentiation on stable isotopes, otoliths, and body morphometry, they suggest spatial segregation, with different spawning grounds and feeding areas, and with certain connectivity (Galleguillos et al. 2012)(Niklitschek and Toledo 2021). Therefore, two different stock units are considered to exist in Chile (Niklitschek and Toledo 2021).

This profile is therefore structured around a stock, which corresponds to the sprat captured in the Aysén Region as part of a multispecific purse-seine fishery, together with the Anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) and the Araucanian herring (Strangomera bentincki) (Walker et al. 2020), but it represents 99% of the landings since 2005 (Castillo Pizarro et al. 2019)(Castillo Pizarro et al. 2022). The fishery also takes place in the Los Lagos Region, which corresponds to a different stock with higher landings and a more developed management structure. 

The entirely artisanal fishery dedicates most of its captures to producing fishmeals and only 1% is reserved for human consumption (Subpesca 2020). Until 2006 this species was considered by the Chilean authorities as Araucanian herring (Aranis R et al. 2007), but since that year studies and statistics have undertaken separated paths (SERNAPESCA n.d.).