Blue whiting in the Norwegian Sea, spring and summer 1995 and 1996

Abstract

The Norwegian Sea is an important feeding area for blue whiting in the Northeast Atlantic. The adult blue whiting migrates into the Norwegian Sea after spawning along the continental slope west of The British Isles. A major part of the spawning products drift northwards where the juveniles find nursery grounds in the southern Norwegian Sea, and among other areas, along the continental shelf off the Norwegian coast. Estimates of distribution and abundance of blue whiting in the Norwegian Sea have been obtained during acoustic surveys, as have age and length compositions of the stock, and stomach samples have been collected. The diet of blue whiting is described, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and some simple estimates of consumption are given, as well as differences in prey choice among various age groups.