Wildlife group calls for better monitoring of capelin fishery in Newfoundland

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – World Wildlife Fund Canada is renewing its call for greater monitoring of a critical, but troubled fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador.

It says the capelin fishery should be assessed every year, adding that acoustic surveys should be used to monitor populations.

The group says that would help come up with an accurate abundance estimate to determine what the total allowable catch should be.

The statement comes after a biologist said the province’s commercial fishery for capelin roe should be stopped.

Bill Montevecchi, a professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, says the smelt-like fish experienced a population crash in the early 1990s and haven’t recovered.

Alejandro Buren of Fisheries and Oceans Canada says the capelin fishery shouldn’t be shut down but agrees that the population be monitored effectively.