Náttúrufræðingurinn - 2001, Síða 81

maximum length (Loo) of 76 cm, or dose to the
observed maximum of 79 cm (Fig. 8).
The prey of whiting consist mainly of various
pelagic fish species, primarily sandeels
(Ammodytidae) and capelin (Mallotus villosus)
as well as herring (Clupea harengus) and Nor-
way pout (Trisopterus esmarki) (Fig. 9). How-
ever, the smallest fish prey mainly on crusta-
ceans, e.g. shrimps (Crangon crangon,
Pandalus borealis) or euphausiids (Mega-
nyctiphanes norvegica, Thysanoessa spp.) (Fig.
10 A). Feeding characteristics, i.e. mean stomach
content, prey number and prey size are
exponentially related to predator length (Fig. 10,
B-D). Abundance indices, based on mean catch
in numbers, indicate an increasing stock size
1985-1995, but a slight decline in more recent
years (Fig. 11 B). It is concluded that whiting, in
spite of its limited value in economic terms, has
a value of its own in terms of biodiversity, as
any other species. In view of relatively limited
and sharp spatial distribution, whiting may have
a potential as an indicator of environmental
change, a potential which may in fact be postu-
lated for any species, irrespective of stock size
or commercial value.
■ HEIMILDIR
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PÓST- OG NETFANG HÖFUNDAR/
Authors 's address
Ólafur Karvel Pálsson
Hafrannsóknastofnunin/
Marine Research Institute
Skúlagötu 4
P.O. Box 1390
IS-121 Reykjavík
okp@hafro.is
159