Capelin are good for cod: can the northern stock rebuild without them?

Abstract

The stock of northern cod (Gadus morhua) off Newfoundland and Labrador is at its lowest level in recorded history, with no rebuilding of northern spawning aggregations since the fishing moratorium in 1992. Cod diet was historically dominated by capelin (Mallotus villosus), which have been scarce in the northern areas since 1990. Using the study areas Hawke Channel and Trinity Bay within the historical northern cod range, and Placentia Bay (south coast), we examine growth, condition, and reproductive potential with respect to capelin diet in 18 000 cod sampled primarily in January and June of the years 1996-2000. Overall diet weights differed among areas and seasons (Placentia=Hawke>Trinity in January; Placentia>Trinity=Hawke in June). However, just 7 of 3383 cod stomachs (0.2%) from Hawke contained capelin (PFI=0). In contrast, 10% of cod of ages 3-7 in Placentia and Trinity Bays preyed on capelin and overall capelin partial fullness indices (PFI) were 0.2-0.4. Capelin PFIs were correlated with an index of availability (potential contact of capelin within 40 km of cod) calculated from acoustic surveys. Seasonally adjusted cod liver condition was strongly associated with capelin availability (p Trinity≫Hawke).