Groundfish food habits and predation on commercially important prey species in the eastern Bering Sea from 1987 to 1989

Abstract

This document describes the feeding habits of major groundfish species in the eastern Bering Sea based on stomach content information collected during 1987, 1988, and 1989. The total consumption of commercially important prey species by groundfish populations is calculated for the main feeding period of May through September during 1987, 1988, and 1989. Walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) cannibalism is also calculated for the period of May through December. Estimated predation mortality in terms of numbers and biomass during this 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.


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