Distribution, growth, and foods of Arctic cod ( Boreogadus saida) in the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas.

Abstract

Arctic cod were most abundant in the NE Chukchi and western Beaufort seas. There was no relationship between depth and abundance but in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas small fishes were more common in water <100 m deep. Annual growth increments appear to be variable. Arctic cod <4 yr were larger at a given age in the Bering Sea. In the Bering Sea gammarid amphipods were the main food with mysids, shrimps, and hyperiid amphipods also eaten. In the NE Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, calanoid copepods were the predominant prey.-from Sport Fishery Abstractsmysids shrimps hyperiid gammarid amphipods