NAFO Sci. Coun. Studies, 31:79-110
Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography
(PINRO), 6 Knipovich Street, 183763, Murmansk, Russia
Hydrographic and cod (Gadus morhua) biological data collected over the period 1978–91 on the Shelf of Newfoundland enabled four regions to be distinguished which are occupied by water masses of different origin and quality. These were labelled as the main, inshore, intermediate and shallow water masses. It was found that the areas of cod concentrations and feeding did not coincide completely with these, with the main portion of the stock (nearly 80%) concentrated in the main and shallow water masses. The most intensive feeding occurred in the inshore and intermediate water masses. In warm years the proportion of the cod stock in the shallow water mass increased. Sand lance, shrimp and planktonic crustaceans (mainly hyperiids) dominated the cod diet on the study area in warm years. In contrast, the proportion of the cod stock in the main water mass increased in cold years, and the cod diet in the study area was dominated by capelin and bottom crustaceans (mainly crabs).