Groundfish Food Habits and Predation on Commercially Important Prey Species in the Eastern Bering Sea from 1984 to 1986

摘要

The document describes the feeding habits of major groundfish species in the eastern Bering Sea based on stomach content information collected since 1984. The total consumption of commercially important prey species by groundfish populations is calculated for the main feeding period of May through September during 1984, 1985, and 1986. Estimated predation mortality in terms of numbers and biomass during the period is presented. These estimates are compared with existing knowledge of prey species abundance. Possible impact of predation on prey species abundance patterns is discussed.