Deep Sea Forage Species and Commercial Linkages in the North Atlantic

Forage fish—small schooling fish that provide food for larger species—play a crucial role in many marine ecosystems. Forage species found in deeper waters (> 600ft) have for the most part escaped attention because they are not currently a target of commercial fisheries. Using fisheries-independent trawl and acoustic surveys, this project will examine the distribution, abundance and prey relationship of deep water krill and forage fish, such as myctophids, found off the U.S. continental shelf in the North Atlantic. It will then use stomach content data from commercially important species such as hake, redfish, and swordfish to evaluate the role these deep forage species play in the diet of predators. The assessment will provide managers with a more complete understanding of the ecosystem role of the deep forage. This is important because commercially important predators may feed on these species and, with growing restrictions on herring and menhaden fisheries in shallow waters, it is possible that their deeper counterparts may become an appealing alternative to fishermen.