Forage Fish Fact Sheet

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Forage fish are extremely abundant, schooling fishes, 
and include herring, anchovies, smelts, and sand lance. 
They are an essential component of marine ecosystems, 
providing critical food sources for many birds and for 
larger fish such as salmon and ling cod which in turn are 
eaten by marine mammals such as sea lions and killer 
whales. 
This fact sheet focuses on surf smelt and Pacific sand 
lance.
Surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) grow to be 20–25 cm 
long, and feed on small organisms. They are an important 
food source for salmon, marine mammals and many 
birds. They spawn on gravel and sand beaches near the 
high tide line, where overhanging vegetation protects the 
eggs from the summer sun. Some stocks spawn during 
summer months, others in winter, others year-round. 
Surf smelt also support recreational and commercial 
fisheries in B.C.
Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) are slightly 
smaller than surf smelt (up to 20 cm long). They live 
near the shore year-round and spawn on sand or 
pebbled beaches in the intertidal zone during the winter 
(November–February), often using the same beaches as 
the surf smelt. They bury themselves in the sea bed to 
avoid predators and to hibernate. 
Surf smelt and Pacific sand lance lay their tiny (0.5–1 
mm) eggs on gravel and sand beaches from Alaska to 
California, including the B.C. coast. The distribution of 
spawning beaches in B.C. is not well known, but the 
Sea Watch Society (an alliance of community groups) 
is currently studying and mapping their distribution 
(https://www.facebook.com/foragefish). 
At Risk 
Forage fish populations are affected by changes to their 
spawning habitats. Even small modifications can lead to 
considerable change through time, resulting in the loss or 
significant degradation of these habitats. 
Hardening of the foreshore with structures such as 
seawalls, boulder structures (riprap), groynes, and boat 
 
 
Environmental Guidelines for Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia 
Coastal  
Forage Fish
FACT  SHEET
#21
Are you planning any development on your property? If your property is adjacent to gravel or sand 
beaches, it may support critical habitat features for coastal forage fish. This fact sheet will provide 
you with important information about complying with the law and protecting these species while 
still benefiting from the enjoyment and value of your property.
March 2014
Develop with Care
2014   
Sand lance make up at least 50% of the  
diet of an adult Chinook salmon

ramps affect beach sediment drift, leading to sediment 
loss and degrading spawning habitat quality. Loss of trees 
and other shoreline vegetation removes shade that keeps 
summer surf smelt eggs cool and affects the food supply 
for juvenile salmon. Although walking on the beach does 
not damage the eggs, vehicles and ATVs can harm the 
spawning deposits.
Pollutants from stormwater runoff or leaking septic fields 
and changes to stream flows can affect the quality of 

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