A method for estimation of predation mortalities on capelin using a cod-capelin model for the Barents Sea

Abstract

The Barents Sea capelin stock coliapsed during the period 1983-1986. One of the main factors causing the colIapse was a rapid increase in consumption of capelin by cod, caused by the strong 1983 cod year class. Based on measurements of stomach evacuation ra+es in the appropriate temperature interval and data from a combined Russian-Norwegian stomach sampling programrne, predation mortalities are estimated by the MR multispecies model for the Barents Sea - MULTCPEC. In order to estimate these predation mortalities, cod-capelin interaction parameters and yearly migration parameters for capelin are ako estimated.