Published 2000

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Publication details

Journal : NAMMCO scientific publications , vol. 2 , p. 65–80 , 2000

International Standard Numbers :
Printed : 1560-2206
Electronic : 2309-2491

Publication type : Academic article

Contributors : Folkow, Lars; Haug, Tore; Nilssen, Kjell Tormod; Nordøy, Erling Sverre

If you have questions about the publication, you may contact Nofima’s Chief Librarian.

Kjetil Aune
Chief Librarian
kjetil.aune@nofima.no

Summary

Data on energy requirements, diet composition, and stock size were combined to estimate the consumption of various prey species by minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Northeast Atlantic waters. In the period 1992-1995, the stock of 85,000 minke whales appeared to have consumed more than 1.8 million tonnes of prey per year in coastal waters off northern Norway, in the Barents Sea and around Spitsbergen during an assumed 6 month stay between mid-April and mid-October. Uncertainties in stock estimates suggest a 95% confidence range of 1.4 – 2.1 million tonnes. The point estimate was composed of 602,000 tonnes of krill (Thysanoessa spp.), 633,000 tonnes of herring (Clupea harengus), 142,000 tonnes of capelin (Mallotus villosus), 256,000 tonnes of cod (Gadus morhua), 128,000 tonnes of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and 54,500 tonnes of other fish species, including saithe (Pollachius virens) and sandeel (Ammodytes ssp). Consumption of various prey items by minke whales may represent an important mortality factor for some of the species. For example, the estimated annual consumption of herring corresponds to about 70% of the herring fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic in 1995. Minke whale diets are subject to year-to-year variations due to changes in the resource base in different feeding areas. Thus, the regional distribution of consumption of different prey items is highly dynamic.