Here, it's a generic term for a great variety of small fish species, mostly under 10cm in length.
Head them, pinch out the guts and fry? Not my first choice but in a tomato sauce, might be OK.
Oolican were not eaten here in the Pacific Northwest but rendered/fermented and the oil was skimmed off
to be stored and used as a delicacy. Hooh! Jeez! Not in my house.
Sardines in tins have the guts in them, don't they? Have not had a taste of them for years.
Sardine sandwiches, green onions and beer. My Dad's weekend treat. You could find him in the dark.
Oysters, clams and mussels don't even have fins and they're OK to eat.