Top Eulachon Fishing Countries

The eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus), also known as candlefish or oolichan, is a small, oily anadromous fish native to the Pacific coast of North America, ranging from northern California to Alaska. Highly valued by Indigenous peoples for its rich oil, eulachon has historically played a significant cultural and nutritional role. Today, the primary countries involved in eulachon fishing are the United States (particularly Alaska and the Pacific Northwest) and Canada (notably British Columbia). The commercial harvest has declined in recent decades due to population decreases, with most current fishing focused on Indigenous and subsistence use rather than large-scale commercial operations. Conservation measures and strict regulations are in place in both countries to protect remaining stocks, making the modern eulachon fishery limited but culturally significant.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.