Surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) are small, silvery fish native to the North Pacific Ocean, commonly found along the coasts of North America and parts of Asia. Renowned for their delicate flavor, surf smelt are harvested both commercially and recreationally, particularly in the United States and Canada, where the Pacific Northwest—especially Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia—hosts robust fisheries. In Asia, Japan is a significant harvester, where closely related smelt species are also valued. The surf smelt industry is characterized by seasonal runs, with fishers using dip nets, seines, and occasionally small trawlers to capture large schools as they spawn in the surf zone. These countries have developed local markets and traditions around surf smelt, with the fish being enjoyed fresh, dried, or smoked, and playing a role in regional coastal economies.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.