The diet of juvenile Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) feeding in new northern nursery areas along the Norwegian coast

Abstract

The North-east Atlantic mackerel stock size increased substantially from 2006–2014 coinciding with high recruitment. This resulted in a pronounced northerly geographic expansion of mackerel, followed by an influx of juvenile mackerel into Norwegian waters. The objective of this work was to study the diet and feeding intensity of juvenile mackerel at the new nursing grounds along the Norwegian coast during the summer. Juvenile mackerel were feeding as far north as 70°N. Stomach content was analysed for the first time from co-occurring juvenile and adult mackerel at the same locations. Almost 80% of all juvenile mackerel had prey in their stomachs, and juveniles had similar stomach fullness as adult mackerel in the same areas. The juveniles preyed on a wide variety of prey species and seemed to utilize both passive filter feeding and active particulate feeding. The most abundant prey group was Appendicularia, accounting for 31% of the stomach content by weight. Juveniles fed on similar prey species as adults, but their diet niche differed somewhat as adult mackerel fed more on krill. Juvenile mackerel can thus successfully survive and feed on various prey in high latitudes and can potentially be a feeding competitor to other planktivorous fish species in the area.