Gadoid predation on a small local shrimp population

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Northern shrimp is targeted by commercial fisheries but is also of great importance as prey in the marine food web. In some cases consumption may be of greater importance than commercial fishing and should therefore be included in stock assessment of the prey species. The main objective of this study is to use stomach content data to produce estimates of consumption on shrimp by two gadoid species, cod and haddock, in a small local inshore area. The density of both gadoid species increased in 1996 and has remained relatively high since 2004. At the same time the shrimp density decreased. In the past five years shrimp has become more important in the diet of the gadoid species and the consumption has increased. Consumption by haddock on shrimp increased in the study period and the influence of haddock is greater than before. The increase in consumption by cod and haddock in the past years indicate that it needs to be included in the assessment of shrimp in the area.