The Fish:
Capelin spawn in winter and early spring at depths of between 20 and 60 meters on sand and gravel seabeds in Finn mark, northern Troms and The Kola Peninsula. Eggs are secreted in the substrate until hatching in May and June. Capelin have a very high mortality rate, with many dying after spawning, although surviving capelin can live for five years. Capelin are an important source of food for other species, especially cod and herring.
Norway administers the capelin stock in the Barents Sea in cooperation with Russia.
Wild Catch:
Capelin is mainly caught in the winter between December and January. Most vessels use purse seine, although some use pelagic trawl when the capelin stocks are found closer to the shore.
Nutritional:
Capelin is especially rich in protein that builds and maintains every cell in the body.
More nutritional data can be found at www.nifes.no/en/prosjekt/seafood-data