Capelin (Mallotus villosus) as an important food source for northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) breeding at Bjørnøya (Bear Island), Barents Sea

Abstract

The food and feeding ecology of northern fulmars Fulmarus glacialis was investigated in July 1999 at Bjornoya (Bear Island). Fulmars relied almost exclusively on fish during the brooding period. The main fish prey was capelin Mallotus villosus (87.0% by reconstituted mass), Atlantic cod Gadus morhua accounting for most of the remainder (9.7% by reconstituted mass). The estimated total length of capelin and Atlantic cod eaten averaged 15 and 17 cm, respectively. Adult fulmars performed short foraging trips averaging 8 hours when brooding chicks, and they foraged at a mean maximum distance of about 60 km, the birds being concentrated on the shelf surrounding the island. The study emphasizes the importance of capelin as a key link between zooplankton and top predators, including seabirds, in the pelagic ecosystem of the Barents Sea.