Greenland halibut ( Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) off Southern Labrador and Northeastern Newfoundland (Northwest Atlantic) feed primarily on capelin ( Mallotus villosus)

Abstract

Stomachs were collected from 10 300 Greenland halibut ( Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) caught during the autumns of 1981, 1982 and 1984 on the continental shelf and upper slope off southern Labrador and northeastern Newfoundland (northwest Atlantic). Examination revealed strong similarity among years in the percentage of stomachs which were empty (42 to 48%), the average degree of stomach fullness, and the prey spectrum. Small (< 20 cm) Greenland halibut preyed mainly on small crustaceans and cephalopods, medium-sized (20 to 69 cm) individuals preyed primarily on capelin ( Mallotus villosus), and large (> 69 cm) individuals preyed on a variety of demersal fish, particularly redfish ( Sebastes sp.) and Greenland halibut. An abrupt change in diet at about 64 to 69 cm was related to changes in both feeding habit and geographic distribution. The quantity of capelin in the stomachs was greatest on Hamilton Bank and on or near the coastal shelf off southern Labrador and northeastern Newfoundland. Medium-sized Greenland halibut were not highly aggregated in those areas where they were most successful in finding capelin. Preliminary estimates of daily and annual prey consumption indicate that Greenland halibut is an important predator of capelin.