Capelin come ashore to spawn at Middle Cove Beach in Newfoundland on Friday, July 22. A leading researcher in the province has called for the closure of the capelin fishery. A leading biologist in Newfoundland and Labrador says the recovery of capelin is so important that the province’s commercial fishery for capelin roe — known as masago among sushi fans — should be stopped. Capelin are also an important source of food for seabirds, seals and several species of groundfish, including cod — once the backbone of commercial fishing in the province. Easing fishing pressure on the capelin could be crucial to the province’s cod fishing industry as surveys continue to suggest cod stocks are finally on the rebound after being virtually wiped out by overfishing, mismanagement and environmental factors, Montevecchi said.

Source: thestar August 24, 2016 00:33 UTC