Baltic herring beats pike to become national fish of Estonia

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2007

TALLINN, Estonia (AFP) — Estonia on Thursday elevated a small, slippery animal that often features on dinner plates to the status of national symbol.

The humble Baltic herring was chosen over the pike in a government-sponsored contest to find a fish suitable to join the blue, black and white flag, the blue cornflower, limestone, and chimney swallow as national symbols.

"We decided to award the title to the Baltic herring, as it is the fish that has provided a lot of traditional fare to people here," Valdur Noormae, director of the Estonian Fishery Association, said in a statement.

More than 50,000 people took part in the Internet vote to find a national fish.

Estonia exports most of the 40,000 tonnes of Baltic herring caught in its waters each year.

© 2007 AFP