Top Smelts Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Top smelts, often grouped under the category "smelts not elsewhere included" in fisheries statistics, refer to several small, silvery fish species primarily within the family Osmeridae, such as the surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) and the night smelt (Spirinchus starksi). These fish are found in temperate coastal waters of the Northern Hemisphere, especially along the Pacific coasts of North America and Asia. The top smelt fishery is notable in countries like the United States (particularly California, Oregon, and Washington), Canada, Russia, and Japan, where they are harvested both commercially and recreationally for their delicate flavor and use as bait. The industry is characterized by small-scale coastal operations, often using beach seines or dip nets, and the catch is typically sold fresh, frozen, or dried. While not as economically significant as other commercial fish species, top smelts play an important role in local economies and ecosystems, serving as forage for larger fish, birds, and marine mammals.

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