Seafood Results
Smelt
Ocean Wise
Variety
Rainbow smelt
Osmerus mordax
Method
Wild
Bottom gillnet, Midwater trawl
Location
Canada (Lake Erie, Lake Huron)
Overall Rating
Ocean Wise
Variety
Surf smelt
Hypomesus pretiosus
Method
Wild
Beach seine
Location
Puget Sound
Overall Rating
Summary
Landings of surf smelt in the Puget Sound averaged 40 t annually from 2000-2014. However, in 2014 quotas of 27 t/year were installed. Annual catch value up until 2014 was approximately $47,000, with all product remaining in the country.
Surf smelts caught by beach seine in Washington’s Puget Sound are Recommended due to minimal impacts on other species and the habitat, and moderate management effectiveness. The species is highly vulnerable to overfishing and current stock status is unknown, however in the absence of formal stock assessments, there are several policies controlling fishing intensity. Adaptive and precautionary quotas for commercial fishing are employed, along with limited fishing times days and times, although recreational fishing requires more oversight. There are no bycatch or habitat impacts, however surf smelt’s important ecological role as a food source means that stronger policies are needed to protect it.
Learn more about harvest methods
Ocean Wise
Eco-Certification:
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - Faroe Islands silver smelt
Variety
Great silver smelt
Argentina silus
Method
Wild
Trawl
Location
Faroe Bank & Faroe Plateau
Eco-Certification
Faroe Islands silver smelt
Summary
Ocean Wise recommends some Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries, but not all. Learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise.
Learn more about harvest methods
Not Recommended
Variety
Surf smelt
Hypomesus pretiosus
Method
Wild
Cast net
Location
Overall Rating
Summary
Landings of surf smelt in the Puget Sound averaged 40 t annually from 2000-2014. However, in 2014 quotas of 27 t/year were installed. Annual catch value up until 2014 was approximately $47,000, with all product remaining in the country.
Surf smelts caught by beach seine in Washington’s Puget Sound are Recommended due to minimal impacts on other species and the habitat, and moderate management effectiveness. The species is highly vulnerable to overfishing and current stock status is unknown, however in the absence of formal stock assessments, there are several policies controlling fishing intensity. Adaptive and precautionary quotas for commercial fishing are employed, along with limited fishing times days and times, although recreational fishing requires more oversight. There are no bycatch or habitat impacts, however surf smelt’s important ecological role as a food source means that stronger policies are needed to protect it.
