Recommendation

  • Avoid

  • Take a pass on this red-rated seafood for now because it poses a high risk to the environment

Capelin

Capelin

Mallotus villosus

  • Also known as

    Caplin, Lodde, Masago, Moiva
  • Country or region

    Canada
  • Body of water

    Northwest Atlantic Ocean
  • Fishing gear

    Stationary uncovered pound nets
  • Other details

    N/A

At a glance

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.

Overall score: 2.209

  • 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

title

  • Impacts on the Species Under Assessment

    The condition of the fish population and if overfishing is occurring.
  • Impacts on Other Species

    The fishery’s impacts on other fish and animals that are caught or used for bait.
  • Management Effectiveness

    The efforts to understand and minimize the fishery’s impact on marine life.
  • Impacts on the Habitat and Ecosystem

    The fishery’s impact on the seafloor and food web.

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