Capelin caught in Canada is rated red. Capelin is depleted in the North Atlantic, and data on the population's abundance and fishing levels in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are lacking. In addition, bycatch impacts are a serious concern in five of the seven fisheries that harvest capelin. The Gulf of St. Lawrence fisheries have bycatch of overfished Atlantic cod, herring, and salmon. The North Atlantic pound net fishery also has bycatch of Atlantic cod and salmon. While management is considered moderately effective overall, managers cannot determine if capelin is being harvested sustainably due to the lack of population abundance data. Under Seafood Watch standards, capelin is a key forage fish (prey for larger predators) in these ecosystems, and more information is needed to ensure its important ecological role is being protected. Seafloor impacts are minimal in all fisheries that harvest capelin.
Impacts on the Species Under Assessment
1.732
Impacts on Other Species
1.732
Management Effectiveness
3.000
Impacts on the Habitat and Ecosystem
2.646
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