Little Being, Big Foundation: Where Rebuilding Ocean Abundance Begins - Oceana Canada

Report | May, 2026

Little Being, Big Foundation: Where Rebuilding Ocean Abundance Begins

Little Being, Big Foundation

 

Oceana Canada’s new report, Little Being, Big Foundation: Where Rebuilding Ocean Abundance Begins, provides the first national assessment of Canada’s 16 major forage fish stocks and features the voices of people whose livelihoods, cultures, and communities depend on them.

Forage fish in Canada include herring, capelin, mackerel, and sardines. They are foundational to healthy oceans — and most are not healthy.

Key findings:

  • More than 80 per cent of Canada’s forage fish stocks are not considered healthy,
  • Only three of 16 are protected under the Fisheries Act.
  • Many forage fish populations still lack the scientific benchmarks needed for proper management.
  • Most forage fish landings come from depleted or vulnerable stocks.

Canada must prioritize leaving more herring, capelin, mackerel, and sardines in the water to ensure healthy oceans, fisheries, and coastal communities. 

Healthy forage fish are the foundation of Canada’s Ocean Comeback.

Voices from the water

“I want everyone to know how important herring are to our culture and way of life. We’re fighting hard to protect it because it’s part of our DNA. That gets overlooked a lot. To lose the herring would mean losing a big part of our identity.” 

– Sierra Hall, Lead Research Field Technician, Kitasoo Xai’xais Stewardship Authority 

“Management can’t be disconnected from the ecosystem; it has to go beyond economic considerations and quotas. 

–  Jasmine Paul, Fifth-Generation Fisher Come by Chance, Newfoundland and Labrador 

Additional Resources