Environmental group Oceana Canada says the federal government needs to stop the capelin fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The organization says capelin are critical to preserving fish like northern cod.

Oceana fishery scientist Rebecca Schjins says the capelin stocks are low throughout the Atlantic and if the government doesn’t pause the fishery, Newfoundland and Labrador could be at risk of losing both capelin and northern cod.

Her group is also calling on DFO to slash the northern cod fishery in half.

“We need enough food in the system to support cod’s growth, and that starts with capelin,” she told VOCM News.

“Those two decisions are coming down the line with the new fisheries minister.”