Anchovies play a vital role in the oceanic food web, largely as a food source for carnivorous fish and birds. They’re often seen tinned in the grocery store, sat atop a Caesar salad, or as the base to a pasta puttanesca. But, they’re an oily delight on their own too! There are two subpopulations on the West Coast. The Northern sub-population lives off Oregon and Washington state while the Southern sub-population lives off the coast of California to Baja California, Mexico.