Canada’s forage fish: an important but poorly understood component of marine ecosystems

Forage fish form a critical trophic link in marine ecosystems, and yet, for many species, there is limited information available. As nations move from single species stock assessments to ecosystem approaches to fisheries management (EAFMs), more information on forage fish will be required. In this study, 50 years of scientific literature were systematically mapped for 11 forage fish species in Canada’s Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans. The objectives were to identify 1) knowledge clusters and gaps and 2) the pressures studied in relation to forage fish outcomes. Of the 2897 articles mapped, the majority studied adults, and the distribution, productivity, growth and life history of commercially fished species. Knowledge gaps were identified for forage fish: 1) that were non-commercially exploited; 2) egg and larval life history stages of most species and juveniles of non-commercial species; 3) diets of most species; 4) migration and performance for all species, and survival of non-commercial species; and 5) the effects of some pressures (e.g., large-scale climate pressures). Addressing these knowledge gaps would improve the application of EAFMs.