WWF-Canada calls for halt of capelin fishery to protect species
Closing the fishery for now, until this precautionary approach can be applied, is an essential first step in allowing capelin populations to recover.
- Closing the fishery for now, until this precautionary approach can be applied, is an essential first step in allowing capelin populations to recover.
- Capelin are maturing at younger ages while older capelin (ages 4-6) are disappearing from the fishery.
- Capelin distribution has protracted to the south, leaving less capelin for species off Labrador such as char, turbot, and cod.
- Recent levels of capelin consumption by fish predators, capelin distribution, growth rates, and maturation rates are consistent with patterns of low capelin abundance.