When asked how long the work takes, the reply was, "It takes about 7 hours for each person to process 1,500 sauries." Mr. Long (50) from Vietnam is preparing frozen saury./Courtesy of An Soyoung.

Small schooling species such as sardines, sauries, and smelt—commonly known as forage fish—play a critical role in sustaining a vibrant Pacific Ocean. These species eat tiny plants and animals, in ...