Alaska Fisheries Science Center (U.S.)

This document describes the feeding habits of major groundfish species in the eastern Bering Sea based on stomach content information collected during the summers of 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996. The total consumption of commercially important prey species by groundfish populations is calculated for the main feeding period of May through September during 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996. 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. Diet information on butterfly sculpin (Hemilepidotus papilio) and marbled (Lycodes raridens), wattled (L. palaeris), and shortfin (L. brevipes) eelpouts is also presented.

Technical Report

Bering Sea