Forage Fishes of the Northeast Pacific

Location: Canada's Pacific marine areas and surrounding coastal areas of the Northeast Pacific and Bering Sea

Description: The purpose of this project is to track observations of unusual trends, patterns, and events related to 'forage fishes' in Canada's Pacific Marine Ecosystems and surrounding seas.

Background: 'Forage fishes' are small pelagic or neritic fish species with high production and mortality rates that make up important proportions of the diets of higher tropic level predators including other fishes, marine mammals, and birds. They are thus critical foundation species in the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems.

Funding: Open invitation

Partners: Pending

Observing Guidance: Observers are asked to report any notable or unusual observations of forage fishes in Canada's Pacific. Detailed photos are encouraged in addition to information about the precise location and dates of the observations.

Source Data: Posts on the LEO Network and otherwise through Sea Watch or from other sources; observations submitted to staff at the Sea Watch Society.

Outputs: Contributed data will be added to LEO regional map and to timeline trends. Contributed data will potentially be used in published reports or papers.

Project Updates: Project updates may be provided in forthcoming LEO BC newsletters, regional ocean health reports, and through direct collaboration with project contributors.

Resources:

BC Forage Fish Atlas and Data Management System

Pelagic Fish of the Pacific Region

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