noun
- A small silvery fish of the smelt family, found in northern Atlantic and Pacific waters, often used as food or bait.
Usage: Also spelled 'capelin'; Common in commercial fishing
Examples
- Capelan is a staple food in many coastal communities.
- Fishermen use capelan as bait for larger fish.
- The capelan run brings thousands of these small fish to the shore each spring.
- Capelan oil is extracted and used in various commercial products.
- Many seabirds depend on capelan as a primary food source.