Capelin

Smelt, Sparling, Smelt roe

Masago (Capelin Roe)

Concentrated primarily in the northern Atlantic Ocean, the capelin fishery is one of the largest fisheries in the world. Norway, Russia, Canada, and Iceland have historically targeted large amounts of capelin; however, the fishery in the Barents Sea, supporting Norway’s and Russia’s efforts, has recently been closed. Iceland is now the largest producer of capelin in the world. It is exceedingly rare to find capelin meat available in sushi bars; however, capelin roe, or “masago”, is a popular item at sushi restaurants. Most major capelin fisheries provide product to the masago market.

Capelin is a small pelagic schooling fish with a slender, elongated body and a pointed snout. It ranges in color from a transparent olive to bottle green along the back while the belly and fins remain silvery or silvery-white. Capelin occur in great numbers throughout much of the northern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

The rapid growth rate, high fecundity, and early age at maturity of capelin help to protect stocks from fishing pressure. Additionally, its vast range and short lifespan contribute to the resilience of the population. Capelin are inherently resilient to fishing pressure.

Stocks are not managed according to traditional reference points (BMSY and FMSY); as such, population abundance and fishing morality are unknown. Overfishing is not believed to be occurring, but in the absence of fishing mortality data, this is not certain. Canadian stocks show a short-term increase but an unknown long-term trend.

No recent quantitative bycatch data are available for the Canadian purse seine and trap net capelin fisheries, although management has prohibited discards of male and juvenile capelin. This lack of recent bycatch data in the Canadian capelin fisheries is deemed to be a moderate conservation concern.

Purse seines, the most common gear type is associated with this fishery has little to no habitat disruption and minimal interaction with the benthos. There is a growing segment of the Canadian fishery which is relying on trap nets to catch capelin. Traps nets are set in shallow sandy habitat and are known to have moderate impacts on habitat although this fishery is conducted on a relatively small spatial scale. Ecosystem effects are more ominous, there is considerable evidence indicating that the link between capelin as a forage fish and predatory populations is too important to ignore. If this fishery does not account for the reliance of other species on capelin (including species at risk), these dependant populations may be impacted.

Traditional biological reference points are not known in the Canadian capelin fishery. Acoustic surveys are used to set quotas, but these surveys have not been conducted recently. In 2007, DFO implemented a bycatch plan but its effectiveness has not yet been determined. The Canadian capelin catch limits and landings have varied over time, and there is limited information on stock abundance. As such, it is unclear if management has effectively maintained the stock over time. The Canadian management regime is deemed to be moderately effective.

Where is this Capelin (Masago) from?

No health advisory at this time

No.