Feeding Cycles of Greenland Halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) in the Flemish Pass Area in Relation to Catch Rates (1991-92)

Abstract

The seasonal cycle in feeding activity of Greenland halibut shows a maximum in autumn in depths between 700 - 900 m. In deeper waters no seasonality appears at all. A 24-hour cycle in feeding activity is observed which is length related, with a daytime (6-12 hour interval) maximum in smaller fish (<60 cm) and at both sunset and night (18-24 hour and 0-6 hour intervals) in the largest fish (<80 cm). The intermediate length class (60-80 cm) shows a minimum in feeding activity in the afternoon (12-18 h) and in general a maximum in the interval 6-12 h, but in this group significant feeding activity occurs also at night. Catch rates decrease in autumn and reach a maximum in winter. In winter, increased catchs occurs mainly at night (0-6 h interval) and are based mainly in the smallest length class (<60 cm), which feeds least during this time interval. An inverse relationship between feeding intensity and catch rates is been observed.