CT conservation organizations praise proposed legislation that would protect tiny fish DJ Simmons FacebookTwitterEmail Osprey in flight with after catching a menhaden.Contributed photo Conservation organizations across the state praised the introduction of new federal legislation that would aim to protect forage fish — smaller fish such as anchovies that serve as a vital food source for seabirds, larger fish and other marine life. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., introduced the Forage Fish Conservation Act earlier this month. It would amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act — the primary law that governs ocean fish management in federal waters. The new act would look to recognize for the first time the important role forage fish serve in the ecosystem.