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. Icelandic stocks display a short-term decrease but long-term stability. Age, sex, and size distribution seem to follow standard patterns. Given this information, Seafood Watch® ranks both Canadian and Icelandic capelin stocks as moderate.

Iceland has no-discard legislation and enforcement ensuring discard rates of <0.02:1. The small amount of bycatch that is taken in the Icelandic fishery is most likely small pelagics and predatory fish intermingling with capelin stocks. Given this information, bycatch in the Icelandic capelin fishery is a low 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 dependent populations may be impacted.

Nordic management regimes and protocols are generally strong, progressive, and seemingly effective. Governments are known to follow the advice of the domestic and international scientific bodies that offer quota recommendations on the capelin stocks. Until necessary biomass benchmarks and mortality figures are obtained, Iceland uses a precautionary measure to safeguard a remaining stock judged to be sufficient to support the fishery and ecosystem. The Icelandic management regime is deemed as highly effective.

Where is this Capelin (Masago) from?

Product from Iceland represents a “Best Choice” while Canadian Masago is ranked as “Some Concerns”

Adults and children should limit to one meal a week since contaminant levels for this fish aren’t known.

No.