The role of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in the foodweb of the Barents Sea

Based on Barents Sea fish stomach content data for the years 1984–2000, the role of capelin, Mallotus villosus (Müller), as prey for various fish predators is evaluated. Capelin are consumed by more than 20 fish species, both commercial and non-target. Their importance to different length-classes of fish predator, and the interannual, seasonal, and spatial dynamics of predation, are discussed. The extent of predation by cod, haddock, Greenland halibut, long rough dab, and thorny skate is calculated. The main predator of capelin is Atlantic cod, which consumed 220 000–3 200 000 t annually, and the second most important, the harp seal.