Can a bioenergetics model explain growth of the northeast Arctic cod?

1994

This report is not to be cited without prior reference to the authors

For the period 1984 to 1991, the individual maximum daily consumption

in calories (cmax) based on 33000 cod stomach samples is given by the power

equation:

Cmax = 68.84 · W ^0,934

where W represents the total fish weight in grams. Daily consumption

as proportion of individual maximum consumption, laboratory determination of

metabolism, specific dynamic action, activity multiplier and spawning losses were

incorporated into a bioenergetics model to predict growth in energy value for the

Northeast Arctic Cod. Results based on 1990 data indicated that the amount

of assimilated energy (90% of actual fraction of the maximum consumption)

allocated for each components varied according to the season. Highest food

conversion efficiency occurred during the first half of 1990 and declined during

the second half. The annual rates of food turnover were within 20% - 27%

of the annual consumption. Comparisons were made between four cod stocks

concerning the annual energy requirements.

ICES

ICES CM Documents;1994/G:7