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

Abstract

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.