The Trophic Dynamics of 50 Finfish 

and 2 Squid Species 

on the Northeast US Continental Shelf 

US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Northeast Fisheries Science Center 

Woods Hole, Massachusetts 

May 2010

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-216 
Recent Issues in This Series:

197.Withdrawn from series. 

198. Essential Fish Habitat Source Document: Bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix, Life History and Habitat Characteristics. 2nd ed. 

By Jon K.T. Brodziak. December 2005. vi + 89 p., 48 figs., 5 tables, 1 app. NTIS Access. No. PB2006-103439. [Online publication 

only.]

199. Distribution and Abundance of Fish Eggs Collected during the GLOBEC Broad-Scale Georges Bank Surveys, 1995-1999. 

By John D. Sibunka, Donna L. Johnson, and Peter L. Berrien. August 2006. iv + 72 p., 28 figs., 1 table. NTIS Access. No. PB2008-

107379. [Online publication only.] 

200. Essential Fish Habitat Source Document: Black Sea Bass, Centropristis striata, Life History and Habitat Characteristics (2nd 

ed. By Amy F. Drohan, John P. Manderson, and David B. Packer. February 2007. vi + 68 p., 33 figs., 2 tables. NTIS Access No. 

PB2008-107378. [Online publication only.]

201. U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stock Assessments -- 2006. By Gordon T. Waring, Elizabeth Josephson, 

Carol P. Fairfield, and Katherine Maze-Foley, eds. Dana Belden, Timothy V.N. Cole, Lance P. Garrison, Keith D. Mullin, Christopher 

Orphanides, Richard M. Pace III, Debra L. Palka, Marjorie C. Rossman, and Fredrick W. Wenzel, contribs. March 2007. vi + 378 p., 92 

figs, 84 tables, 5 app., index. NTIS Access No. PB2007-112570. 

202. Evaluation of Northern Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Measures in the Great South Channel of Massachusetts. By RL 

Merrick and TVN Cole. March 2007. NTIS Access No. PB 2008-107377. 

203. Essential fish habitat source document: Spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias, life history and habitat characteristics, 2nd 

edition. By LL Stehlik. December 2007. NTIS Access No. PB2008-107376. 

204. An Evaluation of the Northeast Region’s Study Fleet pilot program and Electronic Logbook System: Phases I and II. By 

Michael C. Palmer, Susan E. Wigley, John J. Hoey, and Joan E. Palmer. December 2007. NTIS Access No PB2008-107374. 

205. U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stock Assessments -- 2007. By GT Waring, E Josephson, CP Fairfield, and 

K Maze-Foley, Editors. November 2007. NTIS Access No _______. 

206. Growth of Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata) in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems. By Dean M. Perry, David A. Nelson, 

Dylan H. Redman, Stephan Metzler, and Robin Katersky. October 2007. NTIS Access No. PB2008-107374. 

207. Analysis of Atlantic Sea Scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) Fishery Impacts on the North Atlantic Population of 

Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta). By Richard Merrick and Heather Haas. February 2008. NTIS Access No PB2008-107373. 

208. Global Applications of the Large Marine Ecosystem Concept 2007-2010. By Kenneth Sherman, Marie-Chirstine Aquarone, and 

Sally Adams. June 2007. NTIS Access No. PB______-_______. 

209. Impacts to Marine Fisheries Habitat from Nonfishing Activities in the Northeastern United States. By Michael R. Johnson, 

Christopher Boelke, Louis A. Chiarella, Peter D. Colosi, Karen Greene, Kimberly Lellis-Dibble, Heather Ludemann, Michael Ludwig, 

Sean McDermott, Jill Ortiz, Diane Rusanowsky, Marcy Scott, and Jeff Smith February 2008. NTIS Access No. PB______-_______. 

210. U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stock Assessments -- 2008. By GT Waring, E Josephson, CP Fairfield, and 

K Maze-Foley, Editors. February 2009. NTIS Access No _______. 

211. Trends in Selected Northeast Region Marine Industries. By Eric M. Thunberg. July 2008. NTIS Access No. 

212. Summary of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) bycatch and levels of compliance in the northeast and mid–Atlantic 

gillnet fisheries after the implementation of the Take Reduction Plan: 1 January 1999 – 31 May 2007. By Debra Palka, Christopher 

D. Orphanides, and Melissa L. Warden. August 2008. NTIS Access No. 

213. U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stock Assessments -- 2009. By Gordon T. Waring, Elizabeth Josephson, 

Katherine Maze-Foley, and Patricia E. Rosel. December 2009. NTIS Access No. 

214. Mortality and Serious Injury Determinations for Baleen Whale Stocks along the United States and Canadian Eastern 

Seaboards, 2004-2008. By Allison H. Glass, Timothy V.N. Cole, and Mendy Garron. May 2010.NTIS Access No. 

215. Atlantic Sturgeon Research Techniques. By Kimberly Damon-Randall, Russell Bohl, Stephania Bolden, Dewayne Fox, Christian 

Hager, Brian Hickson, Eric Hilton, Jerre Mohler, Erika Robbins, Tom Savoy, Albert Spells. May 2010. NTIS Access No. 
The Trophic Dynamics of 50 Finfish 

and 2 Squid Species 

on the Northeast US Continental Shelf 

Brian E. Smith and Jason S. Link 

National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center 

166 Water St, Woods Hole, MA, 02543 

US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Gary Locke, Secretary 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Eric C. Schwaab, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries 

Northeast Fisheries Science Center 

Woods Hole, Massachusetts 

May 2010

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-216 

This series represents a secondary level of scientific publishing. All issues employ thorough internal 

scientific review; some issues employ external scientific review. Reviews are transparent collegial 

reviews, not anonymous peer reviews. All issues may be cited in formal scientific communications. 
Editorial Notes 

Information Quality Act Compliance: In accordance with section 515 of Public Law 106-554, the 

Northeast Fisheries Science Center completed both technical and policy reviews for this report. 

These predissemination reviews are on file at the NEFSC Editorial Office. 

Species Names: The NEFSC Editorial Office’s policy on the use of species names in all 

technical communications is generally to follow the American Fisheries Society’s lists of 

scientific and common names for fishes, mollusks, and decapod crustaceans and to follow the 

Society for Marine Mammalogy's guidance on scientific and common names for marine 

mammals. Exceptions to this policy occur when there are subsequent compelling revisions in the 

classifications of species, resulting in changes in the names of species. 

Statistical Terms: The NEFSC Editorial Office’s policy on the use of statistical terms in all 

technical communications is generally to follow the International Standards Organization’s 

handbook of statistical methods. 

Internet Availability: This issue of the NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE series is 

being as a Web document in HTML (and thus searchable) and PDF formats and can be 

accessed at: http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/nefsc/publications/. 
1 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 1

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... 2

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 3

Uses of the Data .......................................................................................................................... 3

METHODS ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Databases .................................................................................................................................... 5

Data Collection ........................................................................................................................... 5

Prey Taxonomic Resolution ........................................................................................................ 6

Data Analyses: Diet Summaries and Overlap ............................................................................. 6

RESULTS ....................................................................................................................................... 7

Food Habits Database Metadata ................................................................................................. 7

Prey ............................................................................................................................................. 7

Diets of Major Species Grouped by Taxonomic Classification .................................................. 8

Order Squaliformes ................................................................................................................. 8

Order Carcharhiniformes ........................................................................................................ 8

Order Rajiformes .................................................................................................................... 8

Order Clupeiformes ................................................................................................................ 9

Order Ophidiiformes ............................................................................................................. 10

Order Gadiformes ................................................................................................................. 10

Order Lophiiformes .............................................................................................................. 11

Order Scorpaeniformes ......................................................................................................... 11

Order Perciformes ................................................................................................................. 12

Order Pleuronectiformes ....................................................................................................... 13

Order Teuthida ...................................................................................................................... 14

Dietary Overlap ..................................................................................................................... 14

DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................................... 14

Food Habits Summary .............................................................................................................. 14

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................... 16

REFERENCES CITED ................................................................................................................. 17
2 

ABSTRACT 

This document describes the feeding habits of 50 fish and 2 squid species inhabiting the 

Northeast US (NEUS) continental shelf ecosystem and provides a current context for the 

Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Food Web Dynamics Program (FWDP). These 

descriptions are based on the examination of over 510,000 stomachs from over 150 predators 

since 1973. Trophic dynamics were examined with respect to decadal, spatial, seasonal, and 

ontogenetic variations in feeding habits. Most species are opportunistic, generalist feeders 

exhibiting broad diets, but feeding patterns were identified over broad temporal and spatial scales 

and in relation to ontogenetic stages. Dietary overlap among numerous fish species within this 

ecosystem was moderate, although for the entire shelf community, diet overlap was generally 

low among all species, suggesting relatively minimal competition. Given the wide range of 

feeding habits of most species in this ecosystem, changes in prey or predator abundance are less 

likely to impact populations and the community compared to ecosystems with a high number of 

specialists. The recognition of patterns and processes in the NEUS continental shelf fish 

community over large temporal and spatial scales has remained a key objective for the FWDP 

given ongoing efforts with food habits sampling, particularly during periods of intense fishing 

pressure. 
3 

INTRODUCTION 

The examination of fish feeding habits across the Northeast US (NEUS) continental shelf 

has remained an interest to fisheries science for over a century. Since the decline of fish 

populations was formally acknowledged in the late 1800s, ecological interactions (e.g., fish 

trophic dynamics) were considered a potential cause for those declines (Baird 1873). This 

interest and those considerations have remained in many of the present issues facing the National 

Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS; Fogarty and Murawski 1998; Link et al. 2002b) such that 

trophic ecology has continued to be an important consideration. 

Prior to the 1960s, fish stomach sampling in conjunction with surveys (to monitor trends 

in NEUS shelf fish populations) by the US Fish and Wildlife Service Woods Hole Laboratory 

(currently NMFS, Northeast Fisheries Science Center) explored the mechanisms behind 

individual species decline and their relationships to prey availability (e.g., gadids and benthic 

macrofauna). Ad hoc diet studies were initiated as part of a standardized bottom trawl survey to 

track trends in fish populations beginning in 1963, with a general emphasis on sampling 

commercially important groundfish. However, it was not until the late 1960s and early 1970s 

when multispecies considerations for fish stomach sampling were first applied with a systematic 

sampling of food habits initiated in 1973. The inception of the Feeding Ecology Project (FEP), 

followed by the formation of the Food Chain Dynamics Investigation (FCDI; predecessor to the 

Food Web Dynamics Program [FWDP]) occurred at that time. 

A programmatic history of the FWDP, including descriptions of the many precursory 

programs leading up to its current development, was provided in Link and Almeida (2000). Here 

we aim to extend the documentation of fish trophic ecology for the NEUS in general and the 

FWDP in particular. 

The major objectives of this work were to describe the diets of 50 major fish and 2 squid 

species occurring on the NEUS continental shelf and to examine feeding trends over broad 

temporal (i.e., decadal and seasonal) and spatial sampling scales and ontogeny (i.e., size class). 

Diet overlaps among the 52 major predator species for the entire NEUS shelf were also evaluated 

with the Bray-Curtis similarity index. A current description of FWDP stomach sampling 

requests, priorities, and methodology from 2000-2008 have also been provided to update 

previous documentation. 

Uses of the Data 

There have been numerous summaries of the diets of these species which use these and 

associated data such as for haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus (Wigley 1956), yellowtail 

flounder Limanda ferruginea (Langton 1983), and silver hake Merluccius bilinearis (Bowman 

1984). More comprehensive diet summaries for various fishes and squids of this region have 

also been provided as single documents (e.g., Bowman 1981; Langton 1982; Bowman and 

Michaels 1984; Bowman et al. 2000; Link and Almeida 2000). Here we build upon these 

previous works and focus on a presentation of the basic diet descriptions by using the sampling 

factors: decade, geographic area, season, and size class. For more detailed diet analyses of many 

of these species, the reader is directed to the following literature: the common hake species 

(Order Gadiformes; Garrison and Link 2000b), flatfishes (Order Pleuronectiformes; Link et al. 

2002a), Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua; Link and Garrison 2002b; Smith et al. 2007), and the 

“lesser-appreciated” fishes (e.g., goosefish Lophius americanus; Link 2007). Additionally, the 

consumptive demands for many species of this shelf region have been reported, for example, six 

major piscivores of Georges Bank (Link and Garrison 2002a), pollock (Pollachius virens; Tyrrell 
4 

et al. 2007), and skates (Family Rajidae; Link and Sosebee 2008). Furthermore, fish trophic 

guild analysis (Garrison and Link 2000a), major feeding-reproductive patterns (Link and Burnett 

2001), and the use of these fishes as “samplers” of invertebrates which are otherwise difficult to 

sample (Link 2006; Link and Ford 2006) have been examined. 

More recently the FWDP has emphasized evaluation of and explored the feasibility of 

incorporating ecological interactions (namely predation) directly into models to support fisheries 

science and management. The integration of ecological considerations into standard stock 

assessments and associated multispecies models is one approach to implementing ecosystembased fisheries management (EBFM). Additions such as the predatory removal of commercially 

valuable forage species via a large predator complex (i.e., combined skate biomass for the NEUS 

continental shelf; 10-15% of total finfish biomass surveyed [Link 2007]) have shown the 

combined consumptive demands of seven skate species (Link and Sosebee 2008) and separately, 

various demersals (Overholtz and Link 2007) to be comparable or higher than the magnitude of 

commercial fisheries. Accordingly, predation mortality has been shown to exceed fishing 

mortality rates for various commercial fishes and invertebrates within this continental shelf 

region (e.g., age-1 and age-2 Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus; Moustahfid et al. 2009), 

Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus; Overholtz et al. 2008), and northern shrimp (Pandalus 

borealis; NEFSC 2007)). Furthermore, these studies highlight the critical need to incorporate 

fish food habits data into fisheries models such that the miscalculation of magnitude and model 

uncertainty for various biological reference points and indices has been shown in a fisheries-only 

model (Hollowed et al. 2000; Tjelmeland and Lindstrøm 2005; Overholtz et al. 2008; 

Moustahfid et al. 2009). 

The FWDP data have also been used to initialize, parameterize, and calibrate a wide 

range of multispecies and ecosystem models. The expansion of traditional multispecies virtual 

population analysis (MSVPA; Garrison and Link 2004) has been applied to forage species 

population dynamics within the NEUS continental shelf community, revealing the importance of 

predation mortality rates which exceed 0.2 for juvenile Atlantic herring, and Atlantic mackerel 

(Tyrrell et al. 2008). In general, the inclusion of predation into fisheries science, albeit wellaccepted conceptually for over a century, has not become operationally routine in fisheries 

management despite focused efforts and evidence of its appropriateness (e.g., Christensen 1996; 

NMFS 1999; NRC 1999; Hollowed et al. 2000; Link 2002; Tjelmeland and Lindstrøm 2005; 

Overholtz and Link 2007; Overholtz et al. 2008; Moustahfid et al. 2009). 

Further examples demonstrating the use of FWDP data in a modeling context include the 

development of multispecies production models (e.g., MS-PROD; Gamble and Link 2009) as 

extensions of the Graham-Schaefer production model (Quinn and Deriso 1999) which simulate 

the relative importance of predation, competition within and between functional feeding groups 

(see also Garrison and Link 2000a), and fisheries removals. The Energy Modeling and Analysis 

eXercise (EMAX) created an ecological network model (i.e., energy budget) for the entire NEUS 

food web (Link et al. 2006, 2008). Other ecosystem models have involved specific regions of 

the NEUS shelf (e.g., Gulf of Maine; Ecosystem Gulf of Maine Aggregate (ECOGOMAGG; 

Overholtz and Link 2009) and have included numerous ecological processes spanning multiple 

trophic levels (i.e., primary production to seabirds and marine mammals). In addition, models 

have also incorporated suites of ecological and bio-physical processes for the entire NEUS shelf 

though this approach can be quite exhausting given the complexity and parameterization 

requirements of these factors (e.g., Atlantis; Gamble et al. in prep.). These examples represent a 

wide range of uses of the food habits data that will continue to be implemented as we move 
5 

towards EBFM and the specific application of integrated ecosystem assessments (IEAs; Levin et 

al. 2009). 

Ultimately, the underlying goals of the FWDP are to examine trophic interactions within 

the NEUS continental shelf ecosystem with an emphasis on demersal and pelagic finfish 

including various elasmobranchs and commercially important invertebrates. The FWDP 

research objectives are to quantify predation mortality relative to fishing mortality for 

commercially important species; model species interactions that influence the status of these 

stocks; relate diet variability to changes in population level processes; and advance our 

understanding of the NEUS continental shelf ecosystem. 

METHODS 

Databases 

The food habits data maintained by the FWDP are generated from multiple sources that 

provide stomach content information in the form of: total and individual prey weights (0.01 g) or 

volumes (0.1 cm3

), diet composition, prey abundance, and prey length (1.0 mm). A major source 

of this information is the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) standardized bottom trawl 

survey, and these food habits data are what we will focus upon in this document. These seasonal 

surveys were implemented to monitor the distribution and abundance of the fishes and 

invertebrates inhabiting the NEUS continental shelf ecosystem as well as to investigate 

biological and ecological interests (e.g., fish maturity, competition). Stomach sampling is 

currently a standard protocol for more than 60 species during these surveys (Appendix). 

 Additional data sources include process-oriented cruises and cooperative projects with 

industry partners that address specific questions pertaining to the feeding ecology of the fishes on 

the continental shelf. Recent projects have focused on such topics as spatial variations in 

benthivorous fish diet as a function of benthic disturbance (i.e., bottom fishing and invasive 

benthos; Link et al. 2005; Smith 2009), predation on larval fishes (Garrison et al. 2000, 2002; 

Almeida et al. 1999), and localized (~800 km2

) fish feeding effects for selected predators (e.g., 

Atlantic cod; Smith et al. 2007). The data from these studies, while an important research 

element in terms of fish trophic dynamics, were not included in this document. 

Data Collection 

Food habits data have been collected from the NEFSC Bottom Trawl Survey from Nova 

Scotia to Cape Hatteras, NC (~293,000 km2

 or 85,300 nm2; Figure 1). Seasonal surveys have 

been conducted regularly in the fall since 1963, in the spring since 1968, and less frequently in 

the winter and summer. Sampling has occurred south of Cape Hatteras, NC, (i.e., South Atlantic 

Bight) although minimally in those southern locales with regard to fish feeding ecology. 

 Sampling locations were selected by using a stratified random design with strata defined 

by depth and latitude. Approximately 350-400 stations per fall and spring season were sampled 

in depths ranging between 8-400 m across the NEUS continental shelf. One station per 

approximately 690 km2 or 200 nm2 was employed such that the number of stations randomly 

assigned was proportional to the stratum area. A minimum of two stations were sampled per 

stratum to permit statistical inference. The catch was sorted by species and weighed (0.001 kg); 

individuals were measured (1.0 cm) and classified by sex and maturity stage, and a subset of 

species were sampled for food habits and age data. A detailed description of the survey design 

and protocols are available in Azarovitz (1981), NEFC (1988), and Reid et al. (1999). 
6 

Quantitative food habits sampling by the NEFSC has been conducted since 1973 to the 

present, and the data for the current study were restricted to this time series. From 1973-1981, 

stomachs were preserved and brought back to the laboratory for prey identification. Total 

stomach content and individual prey mass were measured to the nearest 0.01g. After 1981, food 

habits data were primarily collected at sea. The total volume (0.1 cm3) of stomach contents (i.e., 

an entire bolus) was measured and the proportion of each prey item estimated. A complete 

description of the history of NEFSC stomach content sampling through 2000 has been provided 

by Link and Almeida (2000), including conversion methods for stomach content volume (X, 

cm3

) to mass (Y, g) using the formula: Y = a + bX with a = 0 and b = 1.1 (N = 10,806, r2 > 0.90, 

p = 0.0001). Although the species sampling requests for food habits have fluctuated over the 

35+ year time series (Table 1), the general at-sea procedures for examining stomach content 

since 1981 have remained effectively the same for all sampled species. Spiny dogfish (Squalus 

acanthias) and silver hake were consistently the most highly sampled species for each decade 

(Figures 2-5). Since 1999 the emphasis has been placed not only on historically prioritized 

species but also has expanded to ecologically important species that appeared to be 

undersampled. In more recent years, the FWDP has also directed efforts to collect fewer 

stomachs per species to allow for an increased number of species sampled within the NEUS 

continental shelf ecosystem. Tables describing species, length ranges, and species priorities for 

collecting food habits data throughout the time series have been provided in the Appendix. Since 

2004 through the present, at approximately every 25th station, stomach contents that regularly 

would be processed at sea were preserved and then processed in the laboratory. This was done 

as an additional form of data quality control. 

 

Prey Taxonomic Resolution 

 The taxonomic resolution of invertebrate prey species prior to 1981 was greater than that 

of more recent decades. To correct for possible differences in prey taxonomic resolution 

between laboratory and at-sea processed stomach samples, four major prey categories were 

established. These categories span the lowest taxonomic levels feasible (i.e., occasionally genus 

and species) to a more broad phylum- or class-level category (Table 2). For the diet summaries 

discussed in this report, the lowest appropriate taxonomic grouping category (i.e., collection 

category) was used to describe the diets. It was not thought that the differences in sampling 

protocols over time would interfere, given a broad range of taxonomic resolution. 

Data Analyses: Diet Summaries and Overlap 

The 52 predator species selected for diet description across decadal, spatial, and seasonal 

scales and ontogeny were based on a minimum of 200 stomachs (Table 3). The predator species 

and their respective diet summaries were grouped by taxonomic order according to Nelson et al. 

(2004); Order Teuthida (i.e., two squid species) was placed at the end. To minimize redundancy, 

predators with similar feeding habits per taxonomic order were grouped when appropriate. To 

begin, the general feeding habits across all factors have been provided for each predator. The 

factors used to describe diet variability included decade: 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s; 

geographic area: Mid-Atlantic Bight, Southern New England, Georges Bank, Gulf of Maine, and 

Scotian Shelf; season: fall, spring, winter, and summer; and size class: extra-small, small, 

medium, large, and extra-large. Size class definitions by species are listed in Table 3. For each 

factor considered per species, only those treatments (e.g. 1970s and 1980s) with a minimum of 

200 stomachs were reported to facilitate comparisons. The prey categories shown for each 
7 

species-group represented approximately 85% or more of the diet by mass. The trophic guild 

classifications (e.g., planktivorous or benthivorous) when specified were adopted from Garrison 

and Link (2000a) which examined an earlier version of the Food Habits Database (FHDBS). 

Specific trophic guilds reported by the current study (e.g., echinoderm specialist) followed the 

criteria of having more than 30 – 50% of the diet by mass composed of the indicated taxon 

across all sampling factors. 

 To assess dietary overlap, the Bray-Curtis index of similarity was used as a diet similarity 

measure whereby values ranged from 0-100% (i.e., no similarity to identical diets). Prey 

taxonomic resolution was limited to the analytical category (Table 2; e.g., invertebrates grouped 

by taxonomic order and fishes grouped by taxonomic family) with the understanding that 

dissimilarities among these broader taxonomic groupings were sufficient. 

RESULTS 

Food Habits Database Metadata 

 Currently there are over 510,000 stomach records in the FHDBS. Predator sizes range 

from 1 cm to over 2.4 m (Table 4). More than 150 species have been sampled, with 39 species 

having more than 1,000 stomachs sampled, and 52 species having more than 200 stomachs 

sampled. Approximately 30-40% of the stomachs examined by species were empty. 

 The elasmobranchs were generally the largest fishes sampled and were highly 

piscivorous; thus, they had the largest mean total stomach contents. Some of the skates and rays 

were notable exceptions, feeding primarily on benthic macroinvertebrates. Other large mean 

total stomach contents were observed with goosefish, white hake (Urophycis tenuis), Atlantic 

cod, striped bass (Morone saxatilis), and Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) which 

were also highly piscivorous and had large mean lengths. Planktivorous species (e.g., herrings, 

mackerels, and northern sand lance [Ammodytes dubious]) and to a lesser degree small 

benthivores (e.g., fawn cusk-eel [Lepophidium profundorum]) had the smallest total mean 

stomach masses, reflecting a smaller mean fish size, and small crustacean (e.g., various 

zooplankton and gammarids respectively) diet. 

 

Prey 

 There are over 630,000 individual prey records in FHDBS for the 510,000 stomachs 

previously described. Prey sizes range from 0.1 mm to 1 m. There are 1,376 unique prey items 

composing 10 major taxa: arthropods, fishes, molluscs, polychaetes, ctenophores, echinoderms, 

cnidarians, urochordates, chaetognaths, and bryozoans. The top 10 prey items by percent 

frequency of occurrence for all predators include: unidentified and miscellaneous fishes, 

gammarids and other amphipods, various crustacean shrimps (i.e., euphausiids, Crangon, and 

pandalids), Cancer crabs and other decapod crabs, polychaetes, ctenophores, bivalves, and 

copepods. Other major prey items include sand lance (Ammodytes sp.), cephalopods (primarily 

squids), mysids, and ophiuroids (Figure 6). There are a large number of empty stomachs (N = 

169,774) in the database, and unidentified fishes and well-digested prey (i.e., unidentifiable 

animal remains) were observed most frequently, suggesting most individual prey items are 

difficult to identify macroscopically when highly digested. 
8 

Diets of Major Species Grouped by Taxonomic Classification 

Order Squaliformes 

The diet of the squalid shark spiny dogfish had a large proportion of fishes (clupeids 

(e.g., Atlantic herring), scombrids (e.g., Atlantic mackerel), and various other fishes including 

unidentified fish; Figure 7). Ctenophores, Loligo squid, and bivalves were additional prey items 

to note by mass. 

The prey composition of spiny dogfish has varied over the past 40 years and in general 

parallels the population dynamics of commercially important forage species (e.g., herring, 

Overholtz 2002; Overholtz and Friedland 2002) (Figures 8A-D). In the 1970s, squids and 

unidentified cephalopods (i.e., Loligo sp. and Illex sp.) composed a substantial percentage of the 

diet (combined by mass; ~20%) although decreased to less than 10% throughout the remaining 

three decades. In contrast, clupeids, including Atlantic herring, increased in the diet composition 

of spiny dogfish from the 1970s and 1980s (~4%) to the 1990s and 2000s (~18%). Accordingly, 

the unidentified fish component has remained remarkably consistent over the entire time span 

(~20-25%). 

Unidentified fishes were a large dietary component for spiny dogfish across geographic 

area (Figures 9A-E). Spiny dogfish diet on Georges Bank was dominated by ctenophores as well 

as unidentified fish with Atlantic herring and various clupeids occupying the largest percentages 

of identified fish. Within the Gulf of Maine, ctenophores and unidentified fish were also major 

prey items, but larger percentages of clupeids in comparison to Georges Bank were observed. 

The Southern New England and Mid-Atlantic Bight regions revealed lesser ctenophore and 

clupeid diet components respectively, although greater percentages of squid and unidentified 

cephalopods (i.e., Loligo sp. or Illex sp.), scombrids (i.e., Atlantic mackerel), and bivalves were 

present. 

Seasonal differences in diet for spiny dogfish were minor (Figures 10A-D); however, 

slight ontogenetic shifts in diet were suggested over the three size classes (Figures 11A-C). In 

general, medium and to a lesser extent small spiny dogfish ate larger proportions of ctenophores 

(~10-18%) in comparison with the large size class (~5%). This prey item may also contribute to 

increased amounts of well-digested prey for appropriate size classes given the relatively 

immediate gastric evacuation of ctenophores (Arai et al. 2003). Large spiny dogfish were 

predominantly piscivorous (e.g., clupeids, scombrids, and unidentified fishes). 

Order Carcharhiniformes 

The two ground sharks (smooth dogfish [Mustelus canis] and Atlantic sharpnose shark 

[Rhizoprionodon terraenovae]) exhibited distinct diets across broad temporal and spatial scales 

and ontogeny. Smooth dogfish fed predominantly on benthic macroinvertebrates, with Cancer

crabs (Cancer borealis and Cancer irroratus) and other decapod crabs dominating the diet 

throughout the four decades of sampling (Figures 12 and 13A-D). Similar diet preferences were 

observed over spatial area, season, and size category (large and medium categories only; Figures 

14A-C, 15A-D, and 16A-B). Conversely, the Atlantic sharpnose shark was a bentho-pelagic 

feeder, consuming various fishes distributed throughout the bentho-pelagic environment (e.g., 

pleuronectids, sciaenids, and engraulids), Loligo squid, and decapod crabs (Figure 17). 

Order Rajiformes 

The skates within the NEUS shelf system are primarily benthic invertebrate feeders, yet 

barndoor (Dipturus laevis) and winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata) were also piscivorous. 
9 

Barndoor skates consume various decapods, including Cancer crabs, pandalid and Crangon

shrimps, and fishes such as Atlantic herring, silver hake, and other unidentified fish species 

(Figure 18). Barndoor diet also remained relatively constant across spatial and seasonal scales 

(Figures 19A-B and 20A-B). Additionally, winter skate fed on Ammodytes sp., their presence 

dominating the diets of the 1970s and 1980s (Figures 21 and 22A-B). Notable increases in diet 

composition of polychaetes, gammarids, and bivalves were observed in the 1990s and 2000s, but 

the presence of Ammodytes sp. remained, albeit in lesser amounts (Figures 22C-D). The diet 

variability of winter skate across the four geographic regions and seasons was generally minor 

(Figures 23A-D, 24A-D). Nonetheless, increases in percent diet composition of gammarids for 

Southern New England and bivalves in the Mid-Atlantic Bight were apparent. In general, no 

major ontogenetic shifts in diet for winter skate were observed with most size classes consuming 

gammarids, polychaetes, other benthos, and small fishes (i.e., Ammodytes sp.) (Figures 25A-D). 

Clearnose (Raja eglanteria) and thorny skate (Amblyraja radiate) generally followed a 

bentho-piscivorous diet, consuming approximately equal proportions of benthic invertebrates and 

fish. Clearnose fed on decapod and Cancer crabs, Loligo squid, and unidentified fish (Figure 

26). Although few diet differences were detected across seasons (Figure 27A-C), a slight diet 

shift from predominantly benthic macroinvertebrates to approximately equal proportions of 

invertebrate benthos, various benthic fishes, and Loligo squid occurred between medium and 

large size classes (Figures 28A-B). Thorny skate diet primarily consisted of polychaetes and 

unidentified fish including Atlantic herring (Figure 29). These major components persisted 

throughout the four decades of sampling with the exception of the 1970s when a substantial 

proportion of squid (Loligo sp., Illex sp., and unidentified cephalopods) was present (Figures 

30A-D). Spatial, seasonal, and ontogenetic diet variations of thorny skate were generally minor 

with piscivory and invertebrate benthivory continuous throughout all factors (Figures 31A-C, 

32A-C, and 33A-C). 

The remaining three skates—rosette (Leucoraja garmani), little (Leucoraja erinacea), 

and smooth (Malacoraja senta)-- are principally benthivorous. Their feeding habits consist of 

decapods, including Cancer crabs, Crangon and pandalid shrimps, along with polychaetes and 

gammarids (Figures 34, 35, and 40). Smooth skate will also feed on pelagic organisms with a 

diet that includes euphausiids and a small proportion of various fishes. Because of the 

benthivory throughout the life histories of little and smooth skates, decadal, spatial, seasonal and 

ontogenetic diet trends were essentially absent (Figures 36A-D, 37A-E, 38A-D, 39A-B, 41A-B, 

42A-B, 43A-B). 

Order Clupeiformes 

The clupeids (i.e., Atlantic herring, alewife [Alosa pseudoharengus], blueback herring 

[Alosa aestivalis], and American shad [Alosa sapidissima]) were planktivorous, feeding mostly 

on pelagic organisms such as copepods, euphausiids, amphipods (i.e., hyperiids and gammarids), 

and various shrimp-like organisms (e.g., mysids) (Figures 44, 49, 50, and 53). The common 

occurrence of well-digested prey (i.e., unidentifiable animal material) was also seen with these 

species because of difficulties in identifying small prey at sea and the rapid digestion of small 

individuals. The general diet of Atlantic herring remained consistent over the decadal time 

series, although a large proportion of amphipods and lesser amounts of mysids, various other 

crustaceans, Ammodytes sp., and well-digested prey were observed in the 1980s (Figure 45A). In 

the later decades, copepods, euphausiids, and well-digested prey were the predominant food 

items (Figures 45B-C). Euphausiids composed approximately 6% of the diet by mass for 
10 

Atlantic herring collected in the Mid-Atlantic Bight and Southern New England (Figures 46AB). In contrast, individuals sampled from Georges Bank to the Scotian Shelf had approximately 

18-60% euphausiids in their diet (Figures 46C-E). Furthermore, within these two southern 

regions, copepods were proportionally large diet components, although the presence of welldigested prey was noteworthy as well. A seasonal trend in Atlantic herring diet was observed 

across the NEUS continental shelf with a large proportion of euphausiids consumed in the fall, 

whereas the spring revealed greater amounts of copepods and well-digested prey (Figures 47AB). Similar feeding patterns by Atlantic herring on copepods and euphausiids were seen in the 

winter and summer seasons respectively (Figures 47C-D). These results parallel the diets of the 

northern and southern regions previously described, and were believed to be an artifact of 

Atlantic herring’s seasonal migration patterns as demonstrated by Overholtz (2002) and 

Overholtz and Friedland (2002). In general, no major ontogenetic shifts were observed for 

Atlantic herring diet (Figures 48A-C). 

The differences in blueback herring and American shad diets across the geographic areas 

and size categories sampled were minor (Figures 51A-C, 52A-C, 54A-B, 55A-C). For both 

species, well-digested prey and copepods composed large proportions of the diet categories and 

additionally, various crustacean shrimps (e.g., euphausiids, mysids, and pandalids) in the feeding 

habits of American shad. 

Order Ophidiiformes 

 The benthic macroinvertebrate feeder, fawn cusk-eel, ate gammarids, polychaetes, and 

other small benthos, including a substantial amount of well-digested prey (Figure 56). The 

stomach sampling of fawn cusk-eel did not begin until after 2000; thus the ability to detect 

change was limited, and only minor variations in diet were observed for the geographic areas, 

seasons, and size categories adequately sampled (Figures 57A-B, 58A-C, and 59A-B). 

Order Gadiformes 

The larger gadoid species-- Atlantic cod, haddock, and pollock-- have broad, extensive 

diets comprising benthic and pelagic prey. In general, these predators occupy three relatively 

distinct feeding niches with haddock’s principal prey being benthic invertebrates (i.e., 

ophiuroids, gammarids, and polychaetes), cod with its generalist feeding habits in between, and 

pollock having a more pelagic diet consisting of various fish and crustacean shrimps (i.e., silver 

hake, Ammodytes sp., clupeids, and euphausiids) (Figures 60, 65, and 70). The diet of haddock 

showed no major variations across decadal and seasonal scales, or ontogeny (Figures 61A-D, 

63A-D, and 64A-C). However, diet shifts were apparent across geographic area in which 

haddock primarily ate ophiuroids or fish eggs in the Gulf of Maine and Scotian Shelf, a more 

general benthic invertebrate diet of gammarids, polychaetes, and ophiuroids on Georges Bank, 

and similarly amphipods and polychaetes in Southern New England (Figures 62A-D). In 

comparison, cod are more of a mixture of bentho-pelagic feeders, with the diet including large 

proportions of fish (i.e., clupeids, Ammodytes sp., silver hake, and unidentified individuals), and 

benthic macroinvertebrates (i.e., Cancer crabs, various crustacean shrimps, bivalves, gastropods, 

ophiuroids, and other benthos) in their diet (Figure 65). A general increase in clupeids (primarily 

Atlantic herring) was observed over the decadal time series with the percent diet composition 

equal to approximately 12%, 6%, 24%, and 20% from the 1970s through the 2000s (Figures 

66A-D). The broad diet of cod remained relatively constant across the geographic and seasonal 

scales sampled although an ontogenetic shift in diet from benthivory (i.e., macroinvertebrates) 
11 

towards piscivory was identified throughout the size classes (Figures 67A-D, 68A-D, and 69AD). Smaller cod appear to prefer small benthic macroinvertebrates (i.e., gammarids, shrimps, 

ophiuroids, and polychaetes) whereas an increase in fish particularly clupeids and silver hake 

made up greater proportions of medium to extra-large cod diet; a confirmed occurrence across 

multiple sampling scales in the northwest Atlantic Ocean (Link and Garrison 2002b; Smith et al. 

2007). Similarly, the diet of pollock remained fairly constant and mainly focused on pelagic 

prey over the decadal, spatial, and seasonal sampling scales (Figures 71A-D, 72A-C, and 73AC). Furthermore, a dietary shift from euphausiids and other shrimp-like crustaceans to silver 

hake, Ammodytes sp., and other fishes occurred throughout the general life history of pollock 

(i.e., medium through extra-large size classes; Figures 74A-D). 

The hakes within this ecosystem (offshore hake [Merluccius albidus], silver hake, white 

hake, red hake [Urophycis chuss], and spotted hake [Urophycis regia]) are generally piscivorous 

(i.e., feeding on silver hake, Atlantic herring, and unidentified fish) but also feed on pelagic 

invertebrates such as euphausiids and various other crustacean shrimps and squid (Figures 75, 

77, 82, 87, and 92). The general diet composition of these predators experienced only minor 

variations over decadal, spatial, and seasonal sampling scales (Figures 76A-B, 79A-E, 80A-D, 

83A-D, 84A-D, 85A-D, 88A-D, 89A-E, 90A-D, 93A-D, 94A-C, and 95A-C). Noteworthy 

exceptions to this include the increase in Atlantic herring and unidentified clupeids in the diet of 

silver hake over the decades sampled (Figures 78A-D) as well as increased piscivory across size 

class for those hakes with adequate sample sizes (i.e., silver hake, white hake, red hake, and 

spotted hake; Figures 81A-C, 86A-C, 91A-C, and 96A-B). 

Order Lophiiformes 

 Goosefish was a piscivorous specialist with various demersal fishes (e.g., pleuronectids, 

skates, and gadiformes), clupeids (e.g., Atlantic herring), scombrids (e.g., Atlantic mackerel), 

and a large proportion of unidentified individuals in the diet (Figure 97). The percent diet 

composition of clupeids increased over the time series (i.e., ~4% clupeid taxa combined for each 

decade: 1970s and 1980s; ~10-15% for each decade 1990s and 2000s; Figures 98A-D). For the 

other factors examined, no major shifts in feeding habits were observed as the prey categories 

previously described remained relatively constant (Figures 99A-D, 100A-D, and 101A-C). 

Order Scorpaeniformes 

The two scorpaenids-- Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus) and blackbelly rosefish 

(Helicolenus dactylopterus)-- can be classified as shrimp-fish feeders with euphausiids, 

pandalids, silver hake, and various other fishes composing their diets (Figures 102 and 107). The 

proportions of these major prey items were variable across the broad sampling scales and 

ontogeny although the general diet remained consistent (Figures 103A-D, 104A-B, 108A-B, 

109A-B, and 110A-B). In contrast to the fall diet of Acadian redfish dominated by various 

shrimps and few fishes (~80% combined shrimp taxa; ~8% combined fish taxa), larger 

proportions of fishes (e.g., silver hake and unidentified fish) were observed in the spring diet 

(~30% combined fish taxa) (Figures 105A-B). Likewise for Acadian redfish diet, a slight 

increase in the amount of fish was apparent from small to medium size classes (Figures 106A-B). 

Longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus) and sea raven (Hemitripterus 

americanus) were predominantly benthic predators. Longhorn sculpin feed on decapods, 

including Cancer crabs, shrimps (i.e., Crangon and pandalids), gammarids, as well as some 

fishes (Figure 111). In comparison, sea raven was a benthic piscivore, eating ocean pout 
12 

(Zoarces americanus), pleuronectiformes, silver hake, longhorn sculpin, and other gadiformes, 

along with some Cancer crabs (Figure 116). The general feeding patterns of these species did 

not vary drastically over time, space, or life history (Figures 112A-D, 113A-D, 114A-D, 115AB, 117A-C, 118A-D, 120A-C). Nonetheless, a seasonal variation in benthic invertebrates was 

observed for sea raven (i.e., a greater proportion of Cancer crabs in the fall diet, and the spring, 

summer, and winter diets with greater proportions of various fishes as previously described; 

Figures 119A-D). 

The two Prionotus searobins (i.e., northern [Prionotus carolinus] and striped [Prionotus 

evolans]) were primarily benthivorous, eating decapod crabs (e.g., Cancer crabs), Crangon

shrimp, polychaetes, and gammarids (Figures 121 and 125). The food habits sampling of these 

species was sporadic in the 1970s through the 1990s and did not become routine until the early 

2000s; thus, limited feeding inferences are reported (i.e., minor feeding variations for northern 

searobin over geographic area, season, and size class; Figures 122A-B, 123A-C, and 124A-B). 

Nonetheless, the general diet of striped searobin can be distinguished from the principally 

macroinvertebrate diet of northern searobin by the presence of various fish species in its diet 

(e.g., engraulids, scup [Stenotomus chrysops], and unidentified individuals; Figure 125). 

 

Order Perciformes 

Planktivorous feeding habits were predominant for Atlantic mackerel, butterfish 

(Peprilus triacanthus), and northern sand lance. The diet comprised copepods, euphausiids, 

various crustacean shrimps, and ctenophores as primary prey items for these fishes (Figures 126, 

131, and 136). Similar to the diets of the clupeids sampled, well-digested prey accounted for a 

substantial proportion of the diet of butterfish and Atlantic mackerel because of the sampling 

limitations previously described and was probably one of several zooplankton or crustacean 

shrimp species. The diets of these predators did not vary markedly across decadal, spatial, and 

seasonal scales, or ontogeny (Figures 127A-C, 129A-C, 130A-C, 132A-D, 133A-C, 134A-D, 

135A-B, 137A-B, 138A-C, 139A-C). In the case of Atlantic mackerel, a larger proportion of 

euphausiids were seen in Gulf of Maine diets in contrast to the southern regions (e.g., MidAtlantic Bight) which had greater amounts of copepods (Figures 128A-D). 

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), and to a lesser degree 

striped bass were piscivorous specialists with their diets composed of Atlantic herring, other 

clupeids, engraulids, silver hake, various other fishes, and squids (Figures 140, 145, and 150). 

Variations in these predators’ diets reflected prey availability and distribution across temporal 

and geographic scales, including fluctuations in the diet composition of Atlantic herring over the 

time series, spatial regions, and seasons similar to the diets of other piscivores previously 

described (Figures 141A-D, 142A-C, 143A-B, 146A-D, 147A-B, 148A-B, 151A-B, 152A-B, and 

153A-B). In general, no major shifts in diet were observed with ontogeny for these three species 

except for the medium size class of striped bass which consumed benthic macroinvertebrates 

(i.e., bivalves, Crangon shrimp, gammarids, isopods, and polychaetes) in addition to the 

piscivorous diet already discussed (Figures 144A-B, 149A-C, and 154A-B). Weakfish, along 

with being highly piscivorous, had a relatively unique diet targeting engraulids (all engraulids 

combined were greater than 35% of diet by mass; Figure 145). 

 The two sciaenids regularly sampled (i.e., Atlantic croaker [Micropogonias undulates] 

and spot [Leiostomus xanthurus]) were mainly benthivorous with polychaetes, bivalves, 

gammarids, other small benthic crustaceans, well-digested prey, and small proportions of fishes 

occupying their diets (Figures 155 and 158). Although recent efforts to characterize Atlantic 
13 

croaker and spot diet within the past decade have been attempted, generally no major trends were 

observed across decade and size class for Atlantic croaker (Figures 156A-B and 157A-B). 

Similarly, only minor dietary variations were seen for spot across decade and season (Figures 

159A-B and 160A-B). 

 The broad benthic diets of scup and black sea bass (Centropristis striata) included 

gammarids, polychaetes, Cancer and unidentified decapod crabs, and small fishes; the later three 

taxa (particularly Cancer and decapod crabs) were primarily eaten by black sea bass (Figures 

161 and 166). Diet variations across decadal, spatial, and seasonal scales, and ontogeny were 

relatively minor given the consistently benthivorous feeding habits of these predators (Figures 

162A-C, 165A-B, 167A-C, 168A-B, 169A-C, and 170A-B). However, scup diet in the fall 

showed approximately equal proportions of polychaetes and gammarids (~18% and ~20% 

respectively), whereas in the spring a minimal amount of gammarids (<2%) was found in the 

diet, possibly because of subtle differences in regional growth of the benthos (Figures 163A-B 

and 164A-C; Theroux and Wigley 1998). 

Ocean pout can be considered an echinoderm specialist much the same as American 

plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides; discussed below) and to a lesser degree haddock with 

echinoids (e.g., sand dollars and sea urchins), ophiuroids, and asteroids being major diet 

components (Figure 171). Other prey taxa included Cancer crabs, gammarids, and polychaetes. 

The marked presence of these prey items in the diet of ocean pout remained relatively constant 

over the time series (Figures 172A-C). However, the amounts of these prey did vary spatially 

with a larger proportion of ophiuroids and lesser proportion of echinoids in ocean pout stomachs 

collected in the Gulf of Maine (Figures 173A-D). Few diet differences were observed across 

seasons; nonetheless, the percent compositions by mass of ophiuroids and echinoids were 

variable as fall diets had ~20% ophiuroids and ~5% echinoids, and the spring and winter diets 

each had less than 5% ophiuroids and greater than 40% echinoids (Figures 174A-C). Diet 

variability with size class was present as smaller individuals tended to consume greater amounts 

of smaller benthos (i.e., gammarids and other amphipods) while larger ocean pout fed primarily 

on echinoids and asteroids (Figures 175A-C). 

Order Pleuronectiformes 

Flatfish diet can be categorized into one of four general feeding groups: piscivores (i.e., 

Atlantic halibut, summer flounder [Paralichthys dentatus], and fourspot flounder [Hippoglossina 

oblonga] that eat mainly fish and squids; Figures 176, 178, and 183), polychaete-gammarid 

predators (i.e., yellowtail flounder [Limanda ferruginea], winter flounder [Pseudopleuronectes 

americanus], witch flounder [Glyptocephalus cynoglossus], and Gulf Stream flounder 

[Citharichthys arctifrons]; Figures 188, 193, 198, and 203), shrimp-fish predator (i.e., 

windowpane flounder [Scophthalmus aquosus]; Figure 206), or echinoderm specialist (i.e., 

ophiuroids and echinoids; American plaice; Figure 211). In general, no major diet variations 

were exhibited across decade, spatial area, season, and size class as most flatfish diets per 

sampling factor did not deviate from the feeding classifications previously described (Figures 

177A-B, 179A-D, 181A-C, 182A-C, 184A-D, 186A-D, 189A-D, 190A-C, 191A-D, 192A-C, 

194A-D, 195A-E, 196A-D, 197A-C, 199A-C, 200A-E, 201A-D, 202A-C, 204A-B, 205A-C, 

207A-D, 208A-D, 209A-D, 210A-B, 212A-D, 214A-C, and 215A-C). Noteworthy exceptions 

included increased percent diet compositions of cephalopods and Loligo squid within the 

Southern New England and Mid-Atlantic Bight regions for summer and fourspot flounders 

(Figures 180A-C and 185A-D respectively); a similar shift was seen between small and medium 
14 

fourspot flounder size classes (Figures 187A-B). A slight increase in the percent diet 

composition of ophiuroids (by mass) for American plaice in the Gulf of Maine was evident as 

shown for the other echinoderm specialists (i.e., haddock and ocean pout) (Figures 213A-C). 

Order Teuthida 

The two squids (northern shortfin [Illex illecebrosus] and longfin inshore squid [Loligo 

pealeii]) had large amounts of well-digested prey in their diets which can be attributed to the 

high degree of prey mastication associated with these predators (Figures 216 and 221). 

Cannibalism, as seen by unidentified cephalopods (i.e., well-digested squid material) in the diet, 

along with unidentified fish were the largest dietary components. Only minor variations in 

feeding were observed across the broad sampling scales of decade, region, and season, and 

ontogenetic stages (Figures 217A-B, 218A-E, 219A-C, 220A-B, 222A-B, 223A-C, 224A-C, and 

225A-B). 

Dietary Overlap 

 The average diet similarity for the 52 predators examined was generally low (Bray-Curtis 

Index (BCI) average = 31.5%), suggesting relatively minimal potential for competition within 

this NEUS shelf community (Figure 226). However, greater dietary overlap (BCI greater than 

40%, occasionally BCI greater than 60%) was observed among the seven skate species 

(barndoor, winter, clearnose, rosette, little, smooth, and thorny skate), and additionally between 

skates and separate pairings with searobins, longhorn sculpin, Acadian redfish, blackbelly 

rosefish, scup, black sea bass, some gadiformes, and flatfish (primarily fourspot and windowpane 

flounders). High overlap was also seen for some but not all of the planktivorous feeders (i.e., 

Atlantic herring, blueback herring, and Atlantic mackerel), among the gadiformes, and between 

various gadiformes and longhorn sculpin, sea raven, blackbelly rosefish, and the searobins. 

Nonetheless, a moderate similarity in the feeding habits of benthivorous flatfish (i.e., yellowtail, 

winter, witch, and Gulf Stream flounders; BCI = 40-60%), and to a higher degree, the pairing of 

longhorn sculpin and northern searobin (BCI greater than 60%) was observed. 

DISCUSSION 

Food Habits Summary 

 The summary of food habits for 52 species provided here expands and updates previous 

diet descriptions for the major fish and squid species of the NEUS continental shelf (e.g., 

Sherman et al. 1978; Bowman 1981, 1984; Langton 1982, 1983; Durbin et al. 1983; Bowman 

and Michaels 1984; Bowman et al. 1984; Bowman et al. 2000; Link and Almeida 2000). Diet 

variability over decade, geographic area, season, and ontogeny for greater than 60% of the 

species reported here was, generally speaking, relatively minor. Major patterns in feeding habits 

were observed for approximately 20 predator species. For instance, the increase in diet 

proportion of principal pelagic species (e.g., Atlantic herring, mackerel, etc.) over the decadal 

time series was observed in the diets of spiny dogfish, Atlantic cod, many of the hakes (e.g., 

silver, white, and red hake), and other major piscivores (i.e., bluefish and goosefish). This 

observation most likely reflected the availability of major pelagic prey in response to variations 

in fishing intensity over the time series (Fogarty and Murawski 1998; Overholtz 2002; Overholtz 

and Friedland 2002). Spatial variations in prey availability across the broad geographic sampling 

scale were apparent for some fishes feeding on benthic macroinvertebrates (e.g., ophiuroids for 
15 

haddock, American plaice, and ocean pout) as well as pelagic crustaceans (e.g., euphausiids and 

copepods for Atlantic herring and Atlantic mackerel). An increased proportion of ophiuroids 

was observed in the diets of haddock, ocean pout, and to a lesser extent American plaice in the 

Gulf of Maine than in the more southern regions of the Mid-Atlantic Bight, Southern New 

England, and Georges Bank; a similar result was shown by Link (2006). Atlantic herring diet 

revealed an equivalent latitudinal shift in major prey taxa such that euphausiid percent diet 

composition was markedly greater for the northern regions: Scotian Shelf, Gulf of Maine, and 

Georges Bank, whereas copepods and well-digested prey (primarily digested zooplankton) were 

the dominant prey taxa in the southern regions (i.e., Mid-Atlantic Bight and Southern New 

England). Similar dietary trends for these prey, albeit less dramatic, were seen with Atlantic 

mackerel. In general, few seasonal diet variations were identified particularly for those predators 

consuming pelagic taxa (namely euphausiids and various fishes) such as with Atlantic herring 

and Acadian redfish. Additionally, seasonal differences in feeding were suggested for ocean 

pout with variable proportions of echinoderm taxa (i.e., echinoids and ophiuroids), further 

highlighting the interplay among the broad-scale factors examined by this work. 

Increased piscivory with increased size was the most common ontogenetic diet shift 

observed. This was evident for both demersal and pelagic fishes: spiny dogfish, Atlantic cod, 

pollock, most hakes (i.e., silver, white, red, and spotted hake), striped bass, and Acadian redfish. 

Whether these fishes ate benthic macroinvertebrates or pelagic crustaceans during small or 

medium size classes, there was a shift to piscivory with larger size classes. 

The fish community of the NEUS shelf is primarily composed of generalist feeders. 

Given the wide range of feeding habits and generally low dietary overlap for the entire shelf 

community, changes in prey or predator abundance are less likely to impact populations and the 

community compared to ecosystems with a high number of specialists. In some limited 

instances there was evidence of dietary specialization (e.g., echinoderm feeders: haddock, 

American plaice, and ocean pout; or decapod crab feeders: smooth dogfish and black sea bass). 

Garrison and Link (2000a) noted the generalized feeding preferences for many major fish and 

squid predators of the NEUS continental shelf, grouping species into trophic guilds that 

accounted for ontogenetic diet shifts (i.e., crab eaters, planktivores, amphipod/shrimp eaters, 

shrimp/small fish eaters, benthivores, and piscivores). The diet summaries presented here 

support the feeding guilds proposed by Garrison and Link (2000a). 

Some species still remain relatively undersampled, particularly over the broad temporal, 

spatial, and seasonal scales examined. Sampling requests and species priorities are regularly 

modified as appropriate every two or three years to address modeling needs and research 

interests. It is difficult to predict which species of low commercial value will gain importance, 

yet the multispecies food habits sampling currently used has provided reasonable coverage over 

such variability. Nonetheless, sampling the feeding habits of the entire NEUS continental shelf 

fish community remains a major challenge. 

An important component of understanding fish community structure and function is 

knowledge of fish feeding ecology through a continuous diet monitoring program such as that 

described in this report. We assert that these data constitute the preliminary information 

necessary for implementing EBFM. Thus, the requisite monitoring and modeling of such 

ecological interactions for the NEUS continental shelf ecosystem will continue to remain a 

priority for the FWDP and the NEFSC in the near future. 
16 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

 We acknowledge the many individuals who have collected the food habits data used in 

this report over the 35+ years of sampling on NEFSC Bottom Trawl Surveys. We thank the 

previous staff of the FWDP for their efforts on the development and management of the FHDBS. 

We thank H. Blossom for her assistance with the production of numerous graphics throughout 

this document. We also thank two anonymous reviewers for their comments. 

 
17 

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TABLES
Table 1a. Stomach sampling requests used by the NEFSC Bottom Trawl Survey during 1973-86 (Sp = spring; Fa = fall; 1 = priority species; 2 = secondary species 

 collected as time allowed).

Common Name Scientific Name Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa

Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus -------- 22222222 -------- 2222

Argentines Argentinidae -------- 22222222 ------------

Bass, Black sea Centropristis striata -------- 11111111 ------------

Bass, Striped Morone saxatilis -------- 22222222 -------- 2222

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix -------- 22222222 -------- 2222

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 1111111122222222 ------------

Cod, Atlantic Gadus morhua 1111111111111111111111111111

Croaker, Atlantic Micropogonias undulatus -------- 22222222 ------------

Cunner Tautogolabrus adspersus -------- 22222222 ------------

Cusk Brosme brosme -------- 22222222 ------------

Cusk-eel, Fawn Lepophidium profundorum -------- 22222222 ------------

Dogfish, Smooth Mustelus canis -------- 11111111 -------- 2222

Dogfish, Spiny Squalus acanthias -------- 11111111111111111111

Dory, Buckler Zenopsis conchifera -------- 22222222 ------------

Eel, American Anguilla rostrata -------- 22222222 ------------

Eel, Conger Conger oceanicus -------- 22222222 ------------

Flounder, American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides 1111111122222222 ------------

Flounder, Fourspot Hippoglossina oblonga 1111111122222222 -------- 2222

Flounder, Gulf Stream Citharichthys arctifrons -------- 22222222 ------------

Flounder, Summer Paralichthys dentatus -------- 22222222 -------- 2222

Flounder, Windowpane Scophthalmus aquosus -------- 11111111 -------- 2222

Flounder, Winter Pseudopleuronectes americanus -------- 1111111111111111 ----

Flounder, Witch Glyptocephalus cynoglossus 1111111122222222 ------------

Flounder, Yellowtail Limanda ferruginea 11111111 -------- 11111111 ----

Fourbeard Rockling Enchelyopus cimbrius ----------------------------

Goosefish Lophius americanus -------- 11111111111111112222

Grenadier Macrouridae -------- 22222222 ------------

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus 111111111111111111111111 ----

Hake, Longfin Phycis chesteri -------- 22222222 ------------

Hake, Offshore Merluccius albidus -------- 22222222 ------------

Hake, Red Urophycis chuss 1111111111111111111111111111

Hake, Silver Merluccius bilinearis 1111111111111111111111111111

Hake, Spotted Urophycis regia 11111111 ---------------- 2222

Hake, White Urophycis tenuis 1111111122222222111111111111

Halibut, Atlantic Hippoglossus hippoglossus -------- 22222222 -------- 2222

Herring, Atlantic Clupea harengus -------- 11111111111111111111

Herring, Blueback Alosa aestivalis ----------------------------

Herring, Round Etrumeus teres -------- 22222222 ------------

Kingfish, Northern Menticirrhus saxatilis -------- 22222222 ------------

Kingfish, Southern Menticirrhus americanus -------- 22222222 ------------

Lanternfish Myctophidae ----------------------------

Mackerel, Atlantic Scomber scombrus -------- 11111111111111111111

Mackerel, Snake Gempylus serpens -------- 22222222 ------------

Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus ----------------------------

Needlefish, Atlantic Strongylura marina -------- 22222222 ------------

Ocean Pout Zoarces americanus 11111111 --------------------

Pollock Pollachius virens 11111111 -------- 111111111111

Rays Myliobatiformes -------- 22222222 ------------

1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1985 1986 1981 1982 1983 1984
Table 1a. (Cont.)

Common Name Scientific Name Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa

Redfish, Acadian Sebastes fasciatus 1 111111111111111 -------- 2222

Rosefish, Blackbelly Helicolenus dactylopterus - ---------------------------

Salmon, Atlantic Salmo salar - ---------------------------

Sand Lance, Northern Ammodytes dubius - ------- 22222222 ------------

Sculpin, Longhorn Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus 1 1111111 ---------------- 2222

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 1 111111122222222 -------- 2222

Sea Raven Hemitripterus americanus - ------- 22222222 -------- 2222

Searobin, Armored Peristedion miniatum - ------- 22222222 ------------

Searobin, Northern Prionotus carolinus - ------- 22222222 ------------

Searobin, Striped Prionotus evolans - ------- 22222222 ------------

Shad, American Alosa sapidissima - ------- 22222222 ------------

Shad, Hickory Alosa mediocris - ---------------------------

Sharks Elasmobranchii - ------- 22222222 ------------

Skate, Barndoor Dipturus laevis - ---------------------------

Skate, Clearnose Raja eglanteria - ---------------------------

Skate, Little Leucoraja erinacea - ----------------------- 2222

Skate, Rosette Leucoraja garmani - ---------------------------

Skate, Smooth Malacoraja senta - ---------------------------

Skate, Thorny Amblyraja radiata - ------- 22222222 -------- 2222

Skate, Winter Leucoraja ocellata - ------- 11111111 -------- 2222

Spot Leiostomus xanthurus - ------- 22222222 ------------

Squid, Northern Shortfin Illex illecebrosus - ------- 11111111 ------------

Squid, Longfin Inshore Loligo pealeii - ------- 11111111 ------------

Tautog Tautoga onitis - ---------------------------

Tilefish Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps - ------- 22222222 ------------

Weakfish Cynoscion regalis - ------- 22222222 -------- 2222

Wolffish, Atlantic Anarhichas lupus - ------- 22222222 ------------

Wrymouth Cryptacanthodes maculatus - ------- 22222222 ------------

1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1985 1986 1981 1982 1983 1984
Table 1b. Stomach sampling requests used by the NEFSC Bottom Trawl Survey during 1987-2000 (Sp = spring; Fa = fall; 1 = priority species; 2 = secondary

 species collected as time allowed).

Common Name Scientific Name Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa

Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus 2222222222 ------------------

Argentines Argentinidae ----------------------------

Bass, Black sea Centropristis striata ------------------------ 2222

Bass, Striped Morone saxatilis 2222222222222222222222222222

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2222222222222222222222222222

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus ------------------------ 2222

Cod, Atlantic Gadus morhua 1111111111111111111111112222

Croaker, Atlantic Micropogonias undulatus ----------------------------

Cunner Tautogolabrus adspersus ------------------------ 2222

Cusk Brosme brosme ------------------------ 2222

Cusk-eel, Fawn Lepophidium profundorum ------------------------ 2222

Dogfish, Smooth Mustelus canis 2222222222222222222222222222

Dogfish, Spiny Squalus acanthias 1111111111111111111111112222

Dory, Buckler Zenopsis conchifera ----------------------------

Eel, American Anguilla rostrata ----------------------------

Eel, Conger Conger oceanicus ----------------------------

Flounder, American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides ------------------------ 2222

Flounder, Fourspot Hippoglossina oblonga 2222222222222222111111112222

Flounder, Gulf Stream Citharichthys arctifrons ----------------------------

Flounder, Summer Paralichthys dentatus 2222222222222222222222221122

Flounder, Windowpane Scophthalmus aquosus 2222222222222222222222222222

Flounder, Winter Pseudopleuronectes americanus ------------------------ 2211

Flounder, Witch Glyptocephalus cynoglossus ------------------------ 2222

Flounder, Yellowtail Limanda ferruginea ------------------------ 1111

Fourbeard Rockling Enchelyopus cimbrius ----------------------------

Goosefish Lophius americanus 2222222222222222222222222222

Grenadier Macrouridae ----------------------------

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus ------------------------ 1111

Hake, Longfin Phycis chesteri ----------------------------

Hake, Offshore Merluccius albidus ------------------------ 2222

Hake, Red Urophycis chuss 1111111111222222222222222222

Hake, Silver Merluccius bilinearis 1111111111111111111111112222

Hake, Spotted Urophycis regia 2222222222222222222222222222

Hake, White Urophycis tenuis 1111111111222222222222222222

Halibut, Atlantic Hippoglossus hippoglossus 2222222222222222222222222222

Herring, Atlantic Clupea harengus 1111111111222222112121211111

Herring, Blueback Alosa aestivalis ------------------------ 2222

Herring, Round Etrumeus teres ----------------------------

Kingfish, Northern Menticirrhus saxatilis ----------------------------

Kingfish, Southern Menticirrhus americanus ----------------------------

Lanternfish Myctophidae ----------------------------

Mackerel, Atlantic Scomber scombrus 1111111111222222222222211111

Mackerels, Snake Gempylus serpens ----------------------------

Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus ----------------------------

Needlefish, Atlantic Strongylura marina ----------------------------

Ocean Pout Zoarces americanus ------------------------ 1111

Pollock Pollachius virens 1111111111222222222222222222

Rays Myliobatiformes ----------------------------

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Table 1b. (Cont.)

Common Name Scientific Name Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa

Redfish, Acadian Sebastes fasciatus 2222222222 -------------- 2222

Rosefish, Blackbelly Helicolenus dactylopterus ------------------------ 2222

Salmon, Atlantic Salmo salar ------------------------ 2222

Sand Lance, Northern Ammodytes dubius ----------------------------

Sculpin, Longhorn Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus 2222222222222222221212121111

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 2222222222 -------------- 2222

Sea Raven Hemitripterus americanus 2222222222222222221212122222

Searobin, Armored Peristedion miniatum ----------------------------

Searobin, Northern Prionotus carolinus ----------------------------

Searobin, Striped Prionotus evolans ----------------------------

Shad, American Alosa sapidissima ------------------------ 2222

Shad, Hickory Alosa mediocris ------------------------ 2222

Sharks Elasmobranchii ----------------------------

Skate, Barndoor Dipturus laevis ----------------------------

Skate, Clearnose Raja eglanteria ----------------------------

Skate, Little Leucoraja erinacea 2222222222111122221212122222

Skate, Rosette Leucoraja garmani ------------------------ 2222

Skate, Smooth Malacoraja senta ------------------------ 2222

Skate, Thorny Amblyraja radiata 2222222222111122222222222222

Skate, Winter Leucoraja ocellata 2222222222111122221212122222

Spot Leiostomus xanthurus ------------------------ 2222

Squid, Northern Shortfin Illex illecebrosus ----------------------------

Squid, Longfin Inshore Loligo pealeii ----------------------------

Tautog Tautoga onitis ------------------------ 2222

Tilefish Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps ----------------------------

Weakfish Cynoscion regalis 2222222222222222222222222222

Wolffish, Atlantic Anarhichas lupus ------------------------ 1111

Wrymouth Cryptacanthodes maculatus ----------------------------

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Table 1c. Stomach sampling requests used by the NEFSC Bottom Trawl Survey during 2001-08 (Sp = spring; Fa = fall; 

 1 = priority species; 2 = secondary species collected as time allowed)

Common Name Scientific Name Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa

Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus ----------------

Argentines Argentinidae ----------------

Bass, Black sea Centropristis striata 2222222222222222

Bass, Striped Morone saxatilis 2222222222222222

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 2222222222222222

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 2222222222222222

Cod, Atlantic Gadus morhua 2222111111111111

Croaker, Atlantic Micropogonias undulatus ---- 222222222222

Cunner Tautogolabrus adspersus 2222222222222222

Cusk Brosme brosme 2222222222111111

Cusk-eel, Fawn Lepophidium profundorum 2222222222222222

Dogfish, Smooth Mustelus canis 2222222222222222

Dogfish, Spiny Squalus acanthias 2222222222222222

Dory, Buckler Zenopsis conchifera ---- 222222222222

Eel, American Anguilla rostrata ----------------

Eel, Conger Conger oceanicus ---- 222222222222

Flounder, American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides 2222222222222222

Flounder, Fourspot Hippoglossina oblonga 2222111111111111

Flounder, Gulf Stream Citharichthys arctifrons ---- 222222222222

Flounder, Summer Paralichthys dentatus 2222111111111111

Flounder, Windowpane Scophthalmus aquosus 2222222222222222

Flounder, Winter Pseudopleuronectes americanus 1111111111111111

Flounder, Witch Glyptocephalus cynoglossus 2222222222222222

Flounder, Yellowtail Limanda ferruginea 1111111111111111

Fourbeard Rockling Enchelyopus cimbrius ---------- 222222

Goosefish Lophius americanus 2222111111222222

Grenadier Macrouridae ----------------

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus 1111111111111111

Hake, Longfin Phycis chesteri ----------------

Hake, Offshore Merluccius albidus 2222111111111111

Hake, Red Urophycis chuss 2222222222222222

Hake, Silver Merluccius bilinearis 2222111111111111

Hake, Spotted Urophycis regia 2222222222222222

Hake, White Urophycis tenuis 2222222222222222

Halibut, Atlantic Hippoglossus hippoglossus 2222222222222222

Herring, Atlantic Clupea harengus 1111111111111111

Herring, Blueback Alosa aestivalis 2222222222222222

Herring, Round Etrumeus teres ----------------

Kingfish, Northern Menticirrhus saxatilis ---------- 222222

Kingfish, Southern Menticirrhus americanus ----------------

Lanternfish Myctophidae ---- 222222222222

Mackerel, Atlantic Scomber scombrus 1111111111111111

Mackerels, Snake Gempylus serpens ----------------

Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus ---------- 222222

Needlefish, Atlantic Strongylura marina ----------------

Ocean Pout Zoarces americanus 1111222222222222

Pollock Pollachius virens 2222111111111111

2001 2002 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005
Table 1c. (Cont.)

Common Name Scientific Name Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa Sp Fa

Rays Myliobatiformes ----------------

Redfish, Acadian Sebastes fasciatus 2222222222222222

Rosefish, Blackbelly Helicolenus dactylopterus 2222222222222222

Salmon, Atlantic Salmo salar 2222222222222222

Sand Lance, Northern Ammodytes dubius ----------------

Sculpin, Longhorn Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus 1111111111222222

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 2222222222222222

Sea Raven Hemitripterus americanus 2222111111222222

Searobin, Armored Peristedion miniatum ---- 222222222222

Searobin, Northern Prionotus carolinus ---- 222222222222

Searobin, Striped Prionotus evolans ---- 222222222222

Shad, American Alosa sapidissima 2222222222222222

Shad, Hickory Alosa mediocris 2222222222222222

Sharks Elasmobranchii ----------------

Skate, Barndoor Dipturus laevis ---------- 111111

Skate, Clearnose Raja eglanteria ---------- 222222

Skate, Little Leucoraja erinacea 2222222222222222

Skate, Rosette Leucoraja garmani 2222222222222222

Skate, Smooth Malacoraja senta 2222222222222222

Skate, Thorny Amblyraja radiata 2222222222222222

Skate, Winter Leucoraja ocellata 2222222222222222

Spot Leiostomus xanthurus 2222222222222222

Squid, Northern Shortfin Illex illecebrosus ----------------

Squid, Longfin Inshore Loligo pealeii ----------------

Tautog Tautoga onitis 2222222222222222

Tilefish Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps ---- 222222222222

Weakfish Cynoscion regalis 2222222222222222

Wolffish, Atlantic Anarhichas lupus 1111222222222222

Wrymouth Cryptacanthodes maculatus ----------------

2001 2002 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005
Table 2. Levels of taxonomic resolution for selected prey items used in FWDP analyses and summaries. (“Collection Category” is the 

 lowest level of taxonomic resolution, with most fish and some invertebrates retaining species-level identification where 

 applicable. This category and the actual prey name are used in analyses for specific prey taxa or a single or small group of 

 predators. “Analytical Category” is a broader taxonomic level that groups fishes to family and invertebrates to a higher level. 

 This category is used for multispecies analyses and less detailed diet summaries. “General Category” groups prey at the 

 phylum or class level, and is used for more cursory diet summaries. “Modeling category” uses a species-level classification for 

 major fishes and invertebrates of interest and ecological groupings for invertebrate taxa of lesser concern such as benthic or 

 pelagic invertebrates.).

Common Name Scientific Name Collection Analytical General Modeling

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua GADMOR Gadid fam. Fish GADMOR

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus PLEAME Pleuronectid fam. Fish PLEAME

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus CLUHAR Clupeid fam. Fish CLUHAR

Atlantic herring eggs Clupea harengus eggs CLUHAR Clupeid fam. Fish FISEGG

Atlantic herring larvae Clupea harengus larvae Fish Larvae Fish larvae Fish FISLAR

Longfin squid Loligo pealeii LOLPEA Cephalapod Mollusc LOLIGO

Northern shortfin squid Illex illecebrosus ILLILL Cephalapod Mollusc ILLEX

Sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus Pectinid fam. Bivavle Mollusc BENINV

Naked sea butterfly Clione limacina Pteropod Gastropod Mollusc BENINV

Brittle stars & basket stars Ophiuroidea OPHIU1 OPHIU1 Echinoderm BENINV

Comb jellies or sea walnuts Ctenophora CTENOP CTENOP CTENOP PELINV

Atlantic rock crab Cancer irroratus Cancer fam. Decapod Arthropod BENINV

Northern shrimp Pandalus borealis Pandalid fam. Decapod Arthropod PELINV

Mysids Mysidacea Mysida Mysida Arthropod PELINV

Krill Euphausiidae Euphausiid fam. Euphausiid fam. Arthropod PELINV

Calanoid copepods Calanoida Copepod Copepod Arthropod PELINV

Gammarid Gammaridea Gammar Amphipod Arthropod BENINV

Category
Table 3. Common and scientific names, and size category definitions for 52 predators within the Food 

 Habits Database with ≥ 200 stomachs. Groupings are by taxonomic order.

Order/Common Name Species Name Extra-Small Small Medium Large Extra-Large

Squaliformes

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias - <36 36-80 >80 -

Carcharhiniformes

Smooth dogfish Mustelus canis - <36 36-80 >80 -

Atlantic sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon terraenovae - ≤20 21-50 >50 -

Rajiformes

Barndoor skate Dipturus laevis - ≤30 31-60 61-80 >80

Winter skate Leucoraja ocellata - ≤30 31-60 61-80 >80

Clearnose skate Raja eglanteria - ≤30 31-60 61-80 >80

Thorny skate Amblyraja radiata - ≤30 31-60 61-80 >80

Rosette skate Leucoraja garmani - ≤30 31-60 61-80 >80

Little skate Leucoraja erinacea - ≤30 31-60 61-80 >80

Smooth skate Malacoraja senta - ≤30 31-60 61-80 >80

Clupeiformes

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus ≤10 11-20 21-30 >30 -

Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus ≤10 11-20 21-30 >30 -

Blueback herring Alosa aestivalis ≤10 11-20 21-30 >30 -

American shad Alosa sapidissima ≤10 11-20 21-30 >30 -

Ophidiiformes

Fawn cusk-eel Lepophidium profundorum - ≤20 21-50 - -

Gadiformes

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus - ≤20 21-50 51-80 >80

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua - ≤20 21-50 51-80 >80

Pollock Pollachius virens - ≤20 21-50 51-80 >80

Offshore hake Merluccius albidus - ≤20 21-40 >40 -

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis - ≤20 21-40 >40 -

White hake Urophycis tenuis - ≤20 21-40 >40 -

Red hake Urophycis chuss - ≤20 21-40 >40 -

Spotted hake Urophycis regia - ≤20 21-40 >40 -

Lophiiformes

Goosefish Lophius americanus - ≤30 31-60 61-90 >90

Scorpaeniformes

Acadian redfish Sebastes fasciatus - ≤25 26-50 >50 -

Blackbelly rosefish Helicolenus dactylopterus - ≤20 21-50 >50 -

Longhorn sculpin Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus - ≤25 26-50 >50 -

Sea raven Hemitripterus americanus - ≤25 26-50 >50 -

Northern searobin Prionotus carolinus - ≤20 21-30 >30 -

Striped searobin Prionotus evolans - ≤20 21-30 >30 -

Size Categories (cm)
Table 3. (Cont.)

Order/Common Name Species Name Extra-Small Small Medium Large Extra-Large

Perciformes

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus ≤10 11-20 21-35 >35 -

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus ≤10 11-20 21-30 >30 -

Northern sand lance Ammodytes dubius - ≤10 11-25 >25 -

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix - ≤30 31-70 >70 -

Weakfish Cynoscion regalis - ≤25 26-50 >50 -

Striped bass Morone saxatilis - ≤30 31-70 >70 -

Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus - ≤25 26-50 >50 -

Spot Leiostomus xanthurus - ≤20 21-50 >50 -

Scup Stenotomus chrysops - ≤20 21-50 >50 -

Black sea bass Centropristis striata - ≤25 26-50 >50 -

Ocean pout Zoarces americanus - ≤30 31-60 >60 -

Pleuronectiformes

Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus - ≤30 31-60 61-90 >90

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus - ≤20 21-40 41-70 >70

Fourspot flounder Hippoglossina oblonga - ≤20 21-40 41-70 >70

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea - ≤20 21-40 41-70 >70

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus - ≤20 21-40 41-70 >70

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus - ≤20 21-40 41-70 >70

Gulf Stream flounder Citharichthys arctifrons - ≤20 21-40 41-70 >70

Windowpane flounder Scophthalmus aquosus - ≤20 21-40 41-70 >70

American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides - ≤20 21-40 41-70 >70

Teuthida

Northern shortfin squid Illex illecebrosus - ≤15 16-30 >30 -

Longfin inshore squid Loligo pealeii - ≤15 16-30 >30 -

Size Categories (cm)
Table 4. Descriptive statistics for predators examined by the FWDP during 1973-2008 (units of weight = g; units of length = cm; SE = standard error of the 

 mean of stomach weight). Groupings are by taxonomic order.

Order/Common Name Scientific Name Number Mean SE Mean Min. Max. Number Mean

Myxiniformes

Atlantic Hagfish Myxine glutinosa 4 <0.01 0.005 42.75 33 55 0 -

Squaliformes

Spiny Dogfish Squalus acanthias 65,825 15.03 0.176 69.20 3 114 38,024 1,516

Squatiniformes

Atlantic Angel Shark Squatina dumeril 158 30.83 4.534 77.89 26 128 0 -

Lamniformes

Sand Tiger Carcharias taurus 7 224.29 149.086 196.29 105 246 0 -

Shortfin Mako Isurus oxyrinchus 1 141.10 - 146.00 146 146 0 -

Thresher Shark Alopias vulpinus 1 33.00 - 169.00 169 169 0 -

Carcharhiniformes

Smooth Dogfish Mustelus canis 7,603 41.62 0.658 84.36 14 150 4,928 2,299

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 217 18.11 2.193 81.62 34 154 25 2,706

Dusky Shark Carcharhinus obscurus 71 41.51 9.281 98.65 49 212 0 -

Sandbar Shark Carcharhinus plumbeus 68 95.99 34.037 112.28 60 240 2 2,209

Chain Dogfish Scyliorhinus retifer 40 2.03 0.693 29.35 15 45 4 324

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Sphyrna lewini 5 60.25 41.207 75.60 41 112 0 -

Blacknose Shark Carcharhinus acronotus 1 8.80 - 104.00 104 104 0 -

Smooth Hammerhead Shark Sphyrna zygaena 1 2.09 - 92.00 92 92 0 -

Blacktip Shark Carcharhinus limbatus 1 - - 138.00 138 138 0 -

Torpediniformes

Atlantic Torpedo Torpedo nobiliana 15 17.96 13.012 70.60 25 125 1 17,500

Stomach Weights Predator Length Predator Weights
Table 4. (Cont.)

Order/Common Name Scientific Name Number Mean SE Mean Min. Max. Number Mean

Rajiformes

Little Skate Leucoraja erinacea 27,507 4.06 0.034 39.44 6 63 20,006 432

Winter Skate Leucoraja ocellata 17,143 11.08 0.192 60.45 12 111 11,341 1,834

Thorny Skate Amblyraja radiata 3,435 11.73 0.512 48.97 10 107 1,888 1,656

Smooth Skate Malacoraja senta 1,056 4.27 0.172 43.15 9 73 848 441

Clearnose Skate Raja eglanteria 960 9.44 0.748 58.22 22 93 779 1,200

Rosette Skate Leucoraja garmani 700 1.44 0.074 35.76 9 47 674 226

Barndoor Skate Dipturus laevis 655 20.46 1.542 66.37 19 163 647 2,501

Myliobatiformes

Bullnose Ray Myliobatis freminvillii 88 19.69 4.452 58.05 26 123 7 1,108

Bluntnose Stingray Dasyatis say 83 29.48 5.415 57.25 21 128 3 1,928

Spiny Butterfly Ray Gymnura altavela 55 2.43 1.119 92.39 52 199 0 -

Roughtail Stingray Dasyatis centroura 13 84.01 31.269 98.62 74 129 0 -

Cownose Ray Rhinoptera bonasus 13 1.24 1.005 48.38 40 53 0 -

Southern Stingray Dasyatis americana 1 17.22 - 84.00 84 84 0 -

Atlantic Stingray Dasyatis sabina 1 - - 77.00 77 77 0 -

Acipenseriformes

Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus 3 119.17 9.167 97.00 84 120 0 -

Anguilliformes

Conger Eel Conger oceanicus 15 10.28 4.429 64.27 39 109 2 1,725

Margined Snake Eel Ophichthus cruentifer 3 0.12 0.055 39.00 36 42 0 -

Snubnose Eel Simenchelys parasitica 1 - - 11.00 11 11 0 -

Clupeiformes

Atlantic Herring Clupea harengus 17,910 0.59 0.014 23.33 4 46 16,486 121

Blueback Herring Alosa aestivalis 1,347 0.39 0.021 17.17 7 29 1,261 63

American Shad Alosa sapidissima 874 2.10 0.236 25.38 8 58 832 305

Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus 404 0.89 0.070 23.23 7 41 32 126

Round Herring Etrumeus teres 104 0.28 0.061 12.05 10 18 0 -

Atlantic Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus 76 0.15 0.042 21.03 6 32 41 209

Striped Anchovy Anchoa hepsetus 15 0.07 0.036 11.87 10 13 0 -

Spanish Sardine Sardinella aurita 8 <0.01 0.000 5.25 5 6 0 -

Hickory Shad Alosa mediocris 6 2.64 1.752 32.00 24 46 6 467

Stomach Weights Predator Length Predator Weights
Table 4. (Cont.)

Order/Common Name Scientific Name Number Mean SE Mean Min. Max. Number Mean

Argentiniformes

Atlantic Argentine Argentina silus 191 0.17 0.054 31.05 9 44 0 -

Striated Argentine Argentina striata 1 - - 8.00 8 8 0 -

Salmoniformes

Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar 1 2.61 - 34.00 34 34 0 -

Aulopiformes

Inshore Lizardfish Synodus foetens 42 2.13 0.571 24.10 16 35 1 87

Snakefish Trachinocephalus myops 25 1.66 0.757 17.84 13 23 0 -

Offshore Lizardfish Synodus poeyi 9 0.98 0.560 14.22 7 23 3 79

Shortnose Greeneye Chlorophthalmus agassizi 6 0.04 0.020 12.50 11 14 0 -

Myctophiformes

Lanternfish Unclassified Myctophidae 20 0.04 0.015 7.05 4 10 10 2

Hygophum taaningi Hygophum taaningi 9 0.02 0.007 6.67 6 7 0 -

Polymixiiformes

Beardfish Polymixia lowei 1 - - 16.00 16 16 0 -

Ophidiiformes

Fawn Cusk-eel Lepophidium profundorum 1,023 0.07 0.005 21.28 7 30 873 23

Striped Cusk-eel Ophidion marginatum 11 0.03 0.017 20.91 16 30 0 -

Gadiformes

Silver Hake Merluccius bilinearis 47,837 2.71 0.053 25.30 3 76 26,496 127

Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua 19,645 30.06 0.603 53.53 1 150 9,106 2,109

Red Hake Urophycis chuss 17,840 3.27 0.087 30.06 4 73 9,793 202

White Hake Urophycis tenuis 14,348 17.54 0.461 43.54 3 136 7,316 855

Spotted Hake Urophycis regia 13,278 2.18 0.055 23.49 4 46 10,497 131

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus 9,488 4.36 0.109 42.00 8 88 5,951 901

Pollock Pollachius virens 5,820 17.59 0.711 49.94 10 120 3,112 1,503

Stomach Weights Predator Length Predator Weights
Table 4. (Cont.)

Order/Common Name Scientific Name Number Mean SE Mean Min. Max. Number Mean

Gadiformes (Cont.)

Offshore Hake Merluccius albidus 800 2.19 0.462 29.98 6 56 714 226

Cusk Brosme brosme 222 2.41 0.815 60.19 14 104 96 1,757

Fourbeard Rockling Enchelyopus cimbrius 131 0.19 0.025 21.01 12 33 121 43

Longfin Hake Phycis chesteri 25 0.62 0.259 21.26 16 35 0 -

Longnose Grenadier Caelorinchus caelorhincus 18 0.20 0.056 15.78 10 23 0 -

Marlin-Spike Nezumia bairdii 10 0.26 0.052 20.10 15 26 0 -

Ling Unclassified Urophycis sp. 5 0.18 0.096 13.00 13 13 1 12

Grenadier Unclassified Macrouridae 3 0.14 0.031 26.00 26 26 0 -

Carolina Hake Urophycis earllii 1 11.00 - 28.00 28 28 0 -

Batrachoidiformes

Atlantic Midshipman Porichthys plectrodon 10 0.11 0.050 14.00 14 14 0 -

Lophiiformes

Goosefish Lophius americanus 10,188 35.49 1.471 43.35 6 124 7,563 1,622

Beloniformes

Atlantic Saury Scomberesox saurus 1 - - 32.00 32 32 0 -

Zeiformes

Buckler Dory Zenopsis conchifera 197 9.24 1.786 25.87 8 66 86 601

Deepbody Boarfish Antigonia capros 15 1.08 0.194 15.40 12 19 0 -

Gasterosteiformes

Northern Pipefish Syngnathus fuscus 38 <0.01 0.001 18.87 14 24 0 -

Red Cornetfish Fistularia petimba 8 10.30 6.233 78.75 43 115 0 -

Cornetfish Unclassified Fistulariidae 1 0.02 - 32.00 32 32 0 -

Longspine Snipefish Macroramphosus scolopax 2 - - 12.50 12 13 0 -

Scorpaeniformes

Longhorn Sculpin Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus 12,188 2.80 0.061 24.97 3 45 9,205 182

Stomach Weights Predator Length Predator Weights
Table 4. (Cont.)

Order/Common Name Scientific Name Number Mean SE Mean Min. Max. Number Mean

Scorpaeniformes (Cont.)

Sea Raven Hemitripterus americanus 7,472 15.37 0.582 31.73 4 68 5,505 838

Acadian Redfish Sebastes fasciatus 3,904 1.28 0.073 27.28 5 47 2,640 336

Blackbelly Rosefish Helicolenus dactylopterus 957 0.39 0.039 17.14 3 51 855 136

Northern Searobin Prionotus carolinus 727 0.54 0.044 19.99 4 49 632 93

Striped Searobin Prionotus evolans 362 2.82 0.425 24.89 3 44 339 264

Armored Searobin Peristedion miniatum 41 0.12 0.046 25.54 7 32 8 111

Moustache Sculpin Triglops murrayi 28 0.07 0.021 10.57 7 15 0 -

Hookear Sculpin Unclassified Artediellus sp. 23 0.01 0.007 6.43 4 8 1 4

Searobin Unclassified Triglidae 8 <0.01 0.001 8.63 5 11 0 -

Spiny Searobin Prionotus alatus 3 0.19 0.093 12.33 10 14 2 20

Scorpionfish and Rockfish Unclassified Scorpaenidae 2 0.24 0.234 12.00 4 20 1 1

Lumpfish Cyclopterus lumpus 2 27.87 7.386 35.50 31 40 0 -

Shorthorn Sculpin Myoxocephalus scorpius 2 0.29 0.257 39.50 33 46 1 1,360

Alligatorfish Aspidophoroides monopterygius 1 0.01 - 9.00 9 9 0 -

Horned Searobin Bellator militaris 1 - - 5.00 5 5 0 -

Bluespotted Searobin Prionotus roseus 1 - - 16.00 16 16 0 -

Bighead Searobin Prionotus tribulus 1 - - 20.00 20 20 0 -

Perciformes

Atlantic Mackerel Scomber scombrus 6,874 1.37 0.039 27.49 12 47 6,039 216

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus 6,098 0.27 0.011 12.92 2 32 4,058 50

Weakfish Cynoscion regalis 5,117 3.44 0.170 26.27 7 85 3,746 260

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 4,826 20.35 0.948 35.73 3 118 2,409 1,047

Scup Stenotomus chrysops 3,890 0.44 0.023 15.39 4 38 2,374 109

Ocean Pout Zoarces americanus 3,478 8.28 0.303 47.26 5 98 2,816 633

Black Sea Bass Centropristis striata 2,400 2.20 0.141 25.40 5 62 1,559 366

Northern Sand Lance Ammodytes dubius 1,357 0.07 0.005 14.34 2 27 0 -

Spot Leiostomus xanthurus 1,156 0.16 0.011 17.38 10 74 676 96

Striped Bass Morone saxatilis 1,089 72.91 4.837 64.56 23 118 1,070 3,954

Atlantic Croaker Micropogonias undulatus 924 1.57 0.142 25.21 9 82 553 257

Cunner Tautogolabrus adspersus 169 1.32 0.243 26.55 5 47 108 416

Atlantic Wolffish Anarhichas lupus 156 15.41 3.357 52.83 3 137 78 3,185

Northern Kingfish Menticirrhus saxatilis 139 0.71 0.118 23.77 9 37 63 181

Southern Kingfish Menticirrhus americanus 119 1.43 0.316 23.84 15 32 12 163

Tautog Tautoga onitis 52 7.75 1.686 34.87 9 64 47 1,053

Spanish Mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus 44 3.48 1.301 34.68 16 62 4 866

Chub Mackerel Scomber japonicus 35 0.44 0.123 19.31 14 23 0 -

Cobia Rachycentron canadum 26 152.97 33.860 94.36 58 125 16 12,542

Whitebone Porgy Calamus leucosteus 24 1.03 0.656 27.79 20 34 0 -

Tomtate Haemulon aurolineatum 23 0.07 0.050 15.83 11 19 0 -

Tilefish Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps 19 0.80 0.327 41.53 19 64 9 1,330

Stomach Weights Predator Length Predator Weights
Table 4. (Cont.)

Order/Common Name Scientific Name Number Mean SE Mean Min. Max. Number Mean

Perciformes (Cont.)

King Mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla 17 17.20 5.667 81.94 56 117 2 8,710

Round Scad Decapterus punctatus 15 <0.01 0.001 16.33 14 18 0 -

Vermilion Snapper Rhomboplites aurorubens 15 0.69 0.436 19.07 12 24 0 -

Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus 15 13.64 3.435 46.87 31 55 0 -

White Grunt Haemulon plumierii 14 1.54 0.437 30.36 24 45 0 -

Banded Rudderfish Seriola zonata 13 1.44 0.478 23.23 18 27 0 -

Saucereye Porgy Calamus calamus 12 0.92 0.354 21.50 12 30 0 -

Rough Scad Trachurus lathami 11 0.03 0.003 13.64 12 15 0 -

Atlantic Bonito Sarda sarda 11 29.31 24.674 50.36 23 57 3 2,018

Banded Drum Larimus fasciatus 11 0.02 0.006 15.09 14 20 0 -

Atlantic Cutlassfish Trichiurus lepturus 11 0.08 0.033 48.36 44 53 0 -

Bigeye Scad Selar crumenophthalmus 10 0.02 0.004 13.70 13 15 0 -

Pigfish Orthopristis chrysoptera 10 0.40 0.193 18.40 16 24 0 -

Greater Amberjack Seriola dumerili 9 105.65 83.863 59.00 21 114 0 -

Sea Bass Unclassified Serranidae 9 4.22 2.315 63.00 58 71 9 4,540

Spottail Pinfish Diplodus holbrookii 9 0.25 0.124 20.44 12 29 0 -

Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides 9 0.17 0.076 16.44 15 18 0 -

Red Porgy Pagrus pagrus 9 1.47 0.750 29.89 21 40 0 -

Bigeye Priacanthus arenatus 9 1.64 0.604 27.67 15 39 0 -

Snowy Grouper Epinephelus niveatus 8 23.24 13.444 69.38 46 90 0 -

Yellowfin Bass Anthias nicholsi 7 0.27 0.150 23.57 20 27 0 -

Scamp Mycteroperca phenax 6 7.10 6.745 68.17 51 99 0 -

Silver Perch Bairdiella chrysoura 5 <0.01 0.001 19.00 18 20 0 -

Atlantic Spadefish Chaetodipterus faber 4 2.75 0.710 41.50 38 45 0 -

Sand Perch Diplectrum formosum 3 0.41 0.399 20.33 18 24 0 -

Daubed Shanny Leptoclinus maculatus 3 0.01 0.002 11.67 11 13 0 -

Radiated Shanny Ulvaria subbifurcata 3 0.04 0.019 13.00 12 14 0 -

Wrymouth Cryptacanthodes maculatus 3 0.40 0.202 34.67 23 41 0 -

Atlantic Soft Pout Melanostigma atlanticum 3 <0.01 0.001 11.00 11 11 0 -

Blue Runner Caranx crysos 2 0.06 0.055 15.00 15 15 0 -

Striped Bonito Sarda orientalis 2 35.75 8.250 56.00 55 57 2 3,130

Warsaw Grouper Epinephelus nigritus 2 203.50 126.500 104.50 84 125 0 -

Hogfish Lachnolaimus maximus 2 4.49 1.186 57.00 55 59 0 -

Black Drum Pogonias cromis 2 82.50 82.500 111.50 108 115 1 23,440

Blueline Tilefish Caulolatilus microps 2 6.60 6.600 58.00 58 58 1 2,750

Northern Stargazer Astroscopus guttatus 2 10.45 1.650 21.00 19 23 0 -

Sharksucker Echeneis naucrates 1 6.60 - 43.00 43 43 0 -

Almaco Jack Seriola rivoliana 1 209.00 - 94.00 94 94 0 -

Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus 1 110.00 - 100.00 100 100 1 12,100

Conejo Promethichthys prometheus 1 - - 25.00 25 25 0 -

Wolf Eelpout Lycenchelys verrillii 1 - - 12.00 12 12 0 -

Southern Stargazer Astroscopus y-graecum 1 2.12 - 22.00 22 22 0 -

Yellowmouth Grouper Mycteroperca interstitialis 1 - - 76.00 76 76 0 -

Gag Mycteroperca microlepis 1 - - 108.00 108 108 0 -

Stomach Weights Predator Length Predator Weights
Table 4. (Cont.)

Order/Common Name Scientific Name Number Mean SE Mean Min. Max. Number Mean

Perciformes (Cont.)

Atlantic Bumper Chloroscombrus chrysurus 1 - - 16.00 16 16 0 -

Spotted Seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus 1 - - 56.00 56 56 0 -

Pleuronectiformes

Summer Flounder Paralichthys dentatus 17,386 3.20 0.102 39.53 13 82 14,440 818

Fourspot Flounder Hippoglossina oblonga 16,689 1.25 0.035 27.43 2 49 13,415 175

Windowpane Flounder Scophthalmus aquosus 14,599 1.53 0.038 25.82 3 69 11,029 216

Winter Flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus 9,278 2.34 0.056 31.55 8 76 6,559 486

American Plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides 7,201 0.81 0.035 29.94 4 70 5,372 285

Yellowtail Flounder Limanda ferruginea 7,052 1.06 0.027 32.42 3 58 5,081 357

Witch Flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus 5,031 0.68 0.021 35.48 5 65 4,078 268

Gulf Stream Flounder Citharichthys arctifrons 996 0.09 0.005 10.92 2 19 771 14

Atlantic Halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus 445 23.04 4.564 54.71 13 134 239 2,252

Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma 5 3.30 3.300 26.00 21 33 0 -

Hogchoker Trinectes maculatus 5 2.24 2.189 23.40 17 28 0 -

Dusky Flounder Syacium papillosum 4 0.32 0.263 22.25 17 27 3 118

Greenland Halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 3 4.51 2.446 26.33 15 36 3 191

Tetraodontiformes

Planehead Filefish Stephanolepis hispidus 7 <0.01 0.001 6.43 5 8 0 -

Gray Triggerfish Balistes capriscus 2 - - 33.50 10 57 0 -

Striped Burrfish Chilomycterus schoepfii 1 - - 14.00 14 14 0 -

Teuthida

Longfin Inshore Squid Loligo pealeii 3,078 0.54 0.027 13.29 1 39 0 -

Northern Shortfin Squid Illex illecebrosus 3,056 1.58 0.160 20.04 3 32 1 99

Stomach Weights Predator Length Predator Weights
FIGURES
80.0 78.0 76.0 74.0 72.0 70.0 68.0 

Longitude (Degrees W)

Latitude (Degrees N)

33.035.037.041.039.043.045.0

Mid-Atlantic

Bight

Southern 

New England

Georges

Bank

Gulf of

Maine

80.0 78.0 76.0 74.0 72.0 70.0 68.0 

Longitude (Degrees W)

Latitude (Degrees N)

33.035.037.041.039.043.045.0

Mid-Atlantic

Bight

Southern 

New England

Georges

Bank

Gulf of

Maine

Figure 1. Map of the Northeast U.S. continental shelf illustrating the p

sampling regions covered by the NEFSC Bottom Trawl Surv= Nova Scotia

Cape Hatteras, NC
Figure 2. The number of stomachs examined by species in the 

Stomachs Examined (1970s)

Silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis) Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus) Northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus) Red hake (Urophycis chuss) Longfin inshore squid (Loligo pealeii)

American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) Little skate (Leucoraja erinacea) Winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) Scup (Stenotomus chrysops) Yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) Northern sand lance (Ammodytes dubius) Windowpane flounder (Scophthalmus aquosus) Witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) Longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus) White hake (Urophycis tenuis) Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus) Pollock (Pollachius virens) Goosefish (Lophius americanus)

Fourspot flounder (Hippoglossina oblonga)

Spotted hake (Urophycis regia)

Thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata)

Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus)

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 

21

11

7

6

Smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis) Summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata) Black sea bass (Centropristis striata)

Ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus) Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)

Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) Gulf stream flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons) Fawn cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum) Sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus)

Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus)

Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)

Cusk (Brosme brosme) Clearnose skate (Raja eglanteria) Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) Northern searobin (Prionotus carolinus) Smooth skate (Malacoraja senta) American shad (Alosa sapidissima) Offshore hake (Merluccius albidus) Blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis) Striped searobin (Prionotus evolans) Rosette skate (Leucoraja garmani) Barndoor skate (Dipturus laevis) Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)
Figure 3. The number of stomachs examined by species in the 19

Stomachs Examined (1980s)

0 5000 10000 1500

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

181616

5

5554

37

2221

Silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis) Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus)

Red hake (Urophycis chuss)

Longfin inshore squid (Loligo pealeii)

American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Little skate (Leucoraja erinacea)

Winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

Scup (Stenotomus chrysops)

Yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea)

Northern sand lance (Ammodytes dubius)

Windowpane flounder (Scophthalmus aquosus)

Witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus)

Longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

White hake (Urophycis tenuis)

Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus)

Pollock (Pollachius virens)

Goosefish (Lophius americanus)

Fourspot flounder (Hippoglossina oblonga)

Spotted hake (Urophycis regia)

Thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata)

Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus)

Smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis)

Summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata)

Black sea bass (Centropristis striata)

Ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus)

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)

Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus)

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Gulf stream flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons)

Fawn cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus)

Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus)

Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)

Cusk (Brosme brosme)

Clearnose skate (Raja eglanteria)

Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae)

Northern searobin (Prionotus carolinus)

Smooth skate (Malacoraja senta)

American shad (Alosa sapidissima)

Blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis)

Striped searobin (Prionotus evolans)

Rosette skate (Leucoraja garmani)

Barndoor skate (Dipturus laevis)

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

Offshore hake (Merluccius albidus)
Figure 4. The number of stomachs examined by species in the 19

Stomachs Examined (1990s)

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 

3430301928171010

101

94877662

35

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Red hake (Urophycis chuss)

Little skate (Leucoraja erinacea)

Winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

Scup (Stenotomus chrysops)

Yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea)

Windowpane flounder (Scophthalmus aquosus)

Witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus)

Longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

White hake (Urophycis tenuis)

Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus)

Pollock (Pollachius virens)

Goosefish (Lophius americanus)

Fourspot flounder (Hippoglossina oblonga)

Spotted hake (Urophycis regia)

Thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata)

Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus)

Smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis)

Summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata)

Black sea bass (Centropristis striata)

Ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus)

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)

Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus)

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Fawn cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus)

Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus)

Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)

Cusk (Brosme brosme)

Clearnose skate (Raja eglanteria)

Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae)

Northern searobin (Prionotus carolinus)

Smooth skate (Malacoraja senta)

American shad (Alosa sapidissima)

Blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis)

Rosette skate (Leucoraja garmani)

Barndoor skate (Dipturus laevis)

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

Offshore hake (Merluccius albidus)

American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)
Figure 5. The number of stomachs examined by species in the 200

Stomachs Examined (2000s)

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 

1

15

13

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Red hake (Urophycis chuss)

Little skate (Leucoraja erinacea)

Winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

Scup (Stenotomus chrysops)

Yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea)

Windowpane flounder (Scophthalmus aquosus)

Witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus)

Longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

White hake (Urophycis tenuis)

Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus)

Pollock (Pollachius virens)

Goosefish (Lophius americanus)

Fourspot flounder (Hippoglossina oblonga)

Spotted hake (Urophycis regia)

Thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata)

Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus)

Smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis)

Summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata)

Black sea bass (Centropristis striata)

Ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus)

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)

Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus)

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Fawn cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus)

Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus)

Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)

Cusk (Brosme brosme)

Clearnose skate (Raja eglanteria)

Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae)

Northern searobin (Prionotus carolinus)

Smooth skate (Malacoraja senta)

American shad (Alosa sapidissima)

Blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis)

Rosette skate (Leucoraja garmani)

Barndoor skate (Dipturus laevis)

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

Offshore hake (Merluccius albidus)

American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus)

Gulf stream flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons)

Striped searobin (Prionotus evolans)
Figure 6. Percent frequency of occurrence of major prey taxa, excluding w

digested prey and empty stomachs for all predators in the databasMisc. and Unid. Fishes = Miscellaneous and Unidentified Fishes

Major Prey Taxa From All Stomachs

0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 

Isopods

Loligo Squid

Ophiuroids

Silver Hake

Decapod Shrimp

Mysids

Cephalopods

Ammodytes sp

Other Crustaceans

Copepods

Bivalves

Ctenophores

Amphipods

Pandalid Shrimp

Polychaetes

Decapod Crabs

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Euphausiids

Crustacea Shrimp

Gammarids

Misc. and Unid. Fishes

Silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Loligo Squid

Sand Lance (Ammodytes sp)

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp
Figure 7. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogf

n = 65,825). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fis

Spiny Dogfish

05

10152025

Alewife Ammodytes spWDP Bivalves Atlantic Menhaden Cancer Crabs Cephalopods Clupeids Atlantic Herring Ctenophores Decapod Crabs Euphausiids Loligo Squid Ocean Pout Silver Hake Molluscs Scallops Butterfish Pleuronectifor

S

A

% Composition

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus) Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis) Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus) Atlantic Mackerel (Sc

Scup 
Figure 8A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogfish (S

in the 1970s (n = 2,020). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unident

1970s

0

102030

Blueback Herring

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivavles

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Gadiformes

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Scallops

Atlantic Mackerel

Tong

% Composition

A

Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Red 
Figure 8B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogfi

in the 1980s (n = 19,104). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = un

1980s

0

102030

Alewife

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Atlantic Menhaden

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Ctenophores

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Spot

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Mol

% Composition

B

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Pep

Atlantic M
Figure 8C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogfish (S

in the 1990s (n = 34,082). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

1990s

0

102030

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Ctenophores

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Scallops

Butterfish

Polychaetes

Scombri

Atlanti

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber 

Scup (Ste
Figure 8D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogfish (S

in the 2000s (n = 10,619). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

2000s

0

102030

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Ctenophores

Decapod Crabs

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Molluscs

Scallops

Flatfish

Atlantic M

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber sc

Scup (Steno
Figure 9A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogfish 

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 19,395). WDP = well-digested prey; Uni

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

102030

Alewife

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Atlantic Menhaden

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Ctenophores

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Loligo Squid

Molluscs

Scallo

S

A

% Composition

A

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Sc

Scu
Figure 9B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogfish (

in Southern New England (n = 14,353). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Southern New England

0

102030

WDP

Bivalves

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Ctenophores

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Scallops

Butterfish

Flatfi

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Macke
Figure 9C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogfish (S

on Georges Bank (n = 13,932). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Georges Bank

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Ctenophores

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Longhorn 

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecem

Atlantic Mack
Figure 9D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogfish (

in the Gulf of Maine (n = 14,474). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

Gulf of Maine

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Anthozoans

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Ctenophores

Euphausiids

American Lobster

Ocean Pout

Silve

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

American Lobster (Homarus americanus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bili

Atlantic Mack

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)
Figure 9E. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogfish 

on the Scotian Shelf (n = 3,036). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Scotian Shelf

0

10203040

Anthozoans

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Ctenophores

Euphausiids

Haddoc

% Composition

E

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinu
Figure 10A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogfish 

in the fall (n = 17,488). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unident

Fall

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Ctenophores

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pou

Sil

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus

Silver Hake (Merluccius bi

Butterfish 

Atlantic M
Figure 10B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogfi

in the spring (n = 32,929). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = un

Spring

0

102030

Alewife

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Atlantic Menhaden

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Ctenophores

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Spot

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Mollu

% Composition

B

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Pepr

Atlantic M
Figure 10C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogfish 

in the winter (n = 11,266). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid

Winter

0

102030

WDP

Bivalves

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Ctenophores

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Scallops

Pleuronectiformes

Scombrid

Atla

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomb

Sc
Figure 10D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogf

collected in the summer (n = 4,142). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid

Summer

0

102030

Anthozoans

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Ctenophores

Euphausiids

Silver Ha

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius biline
Figure 11A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogfi

in the small size class (n = 6,489). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Small

0

102030

WDP

Bivalves

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Ctenophores

Euphausiids

Gastropods

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Pandalids

Scallops

Poly

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)
Figure 11B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny dogfish (Sq

in the medium size class (n = 42,364). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis

Medium

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivavles

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Ctenophores

Decapod Crab

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Molluscs

Scallops

Polych

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mackerel 
Figure 11C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spiny d

in the large size class (n = 16,972). WDP = well-digested prey; U

Large

0

102030

Alewife

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivalves

Atlantic Menhaden

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Ctenophores

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Illex Squid

Spot

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Sliver Hake

Molluscs

Scallop

Bu

Pleur

% Composition

C

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Mack

Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triac
Figure 12. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth dogfish (

WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Smooth Dogfish 

0

10203040

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Decapod Crabs

Gastropods

Horseshoe Crab

Loligo Squid

% Composition

Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)
Figure 13A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth dogfish 

in the 1970s (n = 573). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentif

1970s

0

1020304050

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crustacea

Decapods

Decapod Crabs

Round Herring

Horseshoe Crab

Loligo 

% Composition A

Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)
Figure 13B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth dogfish 

in the 1980s (n = 1,579). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

1980s

0

10203040

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crustacea

Decapod Crab

Horseshoe Crab

Loligo Squid

Moll

% Composition B

Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)
1990s 

0

10203040

WDPBivalves

Cancer Crabs Cephalopods Decapod Crabs Loligo SquidMolluscs 

% Composition

C

Figure 13C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth dogfi

in the 1990s (n = 2,157). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide
2000s

0

1020304050

WDPBivalves

Cancer Crabs Cephalopods Decapod Crabs Gastropods Loligo Squid

% Composition

D

Figure 13D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth dogfi

in the 2000s (n = 2,491). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide
Figure 14A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth dogfis

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 4,416). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

10203040

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Decapod Crabs

Horseshoe Crab

Loligo Squid

% Composition A

Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)
Southern New England

0

102030405060

WDP Bivalves

Cancer Crabs Cephalopods Decapod CrabsGastropods L

% Composition

B

Figure 14B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth dogfi

in Southern New England (n = 1,648). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid
Georges Bank

0

20406080

100

WDP

Cancer CrabsDecapod Crabs Paguridae 

% Composition

C

Figure 14C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth dogfish 

on Georges Bank (n = 220). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid
Figure 15A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth dogfis

in the fall (n = 4,316). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentif

Fall

0

1020304050

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crab

Gastropods

Horseshoe Crab

Loligo Squid

% Composition A

Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)
Figure 15B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth dogfi

in the spring (n = 1,419). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

Spring

0

10203040

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Euphasiids

Loligo Squid

Atlantic Croaker

Polychaetes

Spi

% Composition B

Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias undulatus)

Spiny Dogfish (Squalu
Figure 15C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth dogfish (

collected in the winter (n = 812). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Winter

05

1015202530

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Decapod Crabs

Round Herring

Loligo Squid

Goosefish

% Composition C

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Goosefish (Lophius americanus)
Summer

0

102030405060

WDPBivalves

Cancer Crabs Cephalopods CrustaceansDecapods Decapod Crab Loligo Squid

% Composition

D

Figure 15D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth dogfish (

in the summer (n = 253). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentif
Medium

0

1020304050

WDPBivalves

Cancer Crabs Cephalopod Decapod Crab Gastropods Loligo SquidMolluscs Paguridae Polycha

% Composition

A

Figure 16A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth dogfis

in the medium size class (n = 2,581). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F
Large

0

1020304050

WDPBivalves

Cancer Crabs Cephalopods Decapod Crabs Gastropods Horseshoe Crab Loligo Squid

% Composition

B

Figure 16B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth dogfi

in the large size class (n = 4,251). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis

Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)
Figure 17. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic sha

(Rhizoprionodon terraenovae; n = 217). WDP = well-digested prey; U

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

0

10203040

WDP

Cephalopods

Gulf Stream Flounder

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Spot

Loligo Squid

Cusk-eels

Butterfish

Pleuronectiformes

Sciaenids

Northern P

% Composition

Gulf Stream Flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons)

Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)

Northern Puffer (Sphoeroides ma

Scup (Sten

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)
Figure 18. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for barndo

(Dipturus laevis; n = 655). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

Barndoor Skate

0

10203040

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Sea Raven

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Pleuronectif

% Composition

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Raven (Hemitripterus americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 19A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for barndoor skate 

in Southern New England (n = 326). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fi

Southern New England

0

10203040

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

P

% Composition

A

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 19B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for barndoor skat

collected on Georges Bank (n = 277). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Georges Bank

0

10203040

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Sea Raven

Silver Hake

Longhorn Sculpin

Pandalids

Fourspo

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Raven (Hemitripterus americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

Fourspot Flounder (Hippoglossi
Figure 20A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for barndoor skat

in the spring (n = 200). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unident

Spring

0

1020304050

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Loligo Squid

Silver H

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilin
Figure 20B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for barndoor skate 

collected in the winter (n = 291). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Winter

0

10203040

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Fawn Cusk-eel

Silver Hake

Pandali

% Composition

B

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 21. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter 

ocellata; n = 17,143). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Winter Skate

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Silv

% Composition

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Silver Hake (Merluccius b

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
Figure 22A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate (L

in the 1970s (n = 479). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

1970s

0

102030405060

Ammodytes sp

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cottids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Illex Squid

Silver Hak

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilineari
1980s

0

1020304050

Ammodytes sp Amphipods WDPBivalves Cancer Crabs Decapod Crabs GammaridsIsopods Loligo Squid 

% Composition

B

Figure 22B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate (

in the 1980s (n = 3,225). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide
Figure 22C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate (L

in the 1990s (n = 9,708). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unident

1990s

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Silver Hake

M

% Composition

C

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilineari

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
Figure 22D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate (Le

in the 2000s (n = 3,731). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidenti

2000s

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Crab

Gammarids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Molluscs

Cusk-

P

% Composition

D

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Mackerel 
Figure 23A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate (Leuc

collected in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 1,970). WDP = well-digested prey; U

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Isopods

Molluscs

Cusk-eels

Summer Floun

% Composition

A

Summer Flounder (Paralichthys dent
Figure 23B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate (Leucor

collected in Southern New England (n = 4,574). WDP = well-digested prey; Un

Southern New England

05

1015

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Crab

Gammarids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Mollu

% Composition

B

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Macker
Figure 23C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate (L

on Georges Bank (n = 10,011). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Georges Bank

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Silve

% Composition

C

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bil

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
Figure 23D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate (L

in the Gulf of Maine (n = 522). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Gulf of Maine

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivalves

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Molluscs

% Composition

D

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
Figure 24A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate (Leu

in the fall (n = 5,786). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified 

Fall

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Isopods

Loligo Squid

Silver H

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilin

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
Figure 24B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate (Le

in the spring (n = 7,741). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unident

Spring

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Isopods

Moll

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
Figure 24C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate (L

in the winter (n = 3,074). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

Winter

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Crab

Gammarids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Silver Hake

Molluscs

Cusk-e

Summe

% Composition

C

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Summer Flounder (Paralichth

Atlantic M
Figure 24D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate (Le

in the summer (n = 542). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish.

Summer

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Atlantic Wolffish

Bivalves

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Gadiformes

Illex Squid

Silver Hake

Pand

% Composition

D

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Wolffish (Anarhichas lupus)
Figure 25A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate 

in the small size class (n = 1,207). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Small

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Crab

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Molluscs

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
Medium

0

102030

Ammodytes sp Amphipods WDPBivalves Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Decapod Crab GammaridsIso

% Composition

B

Figure 25B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate 

in the medium size class (n = 8,538). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid
Figure 25C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skat

in the large size class (n = 4,333). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Large

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Silver Hake

Molluscs

Cu

% Composition

C

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
Figure 25D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter skate (L

in the extra-large size class (n = 3,065). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid

Extra Large

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Crab

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Molluscs

Cusk-eels

Summer Flounder

Poly

% Composition

D

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Summer Flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Atlantic Mack

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 26. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for clear

eglanteria; n = 960). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Clearnose Skate

0

102030

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Atlantic Croaker

Molluscs

Cusk-eels

Scup

Mantis Shrimp

To

% Composition

Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias undulatus)

Scup (Stenotomus chrysops)
Figure 27A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for clearnose skate 

collected in the fall (n = 215). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = un

Fall

0

102030405060

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Loligo Squid

Atlantic Croaker

% Composition

A

Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias undulatus)
Figure 27B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for clearnose s

collected in the spring (n = 277). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Spring

0

10203040

Bay Anchovy WDP Cancer Crabs

Crustacea Shrimp Weakfish Decapod Crabs Engraulids Fawn Cusk-eel Polychaetes Mantis S

% Composition

B

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum) Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Figure 27C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for clearnose s

collected in the winter (n = 434). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Winter

0

10203040

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Cusk-eels

Northern Searobin

Sc

% Composition

C

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Nonrthern Searobin (Prionotus carolinus)
Figure 28A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for clearnose sk

in the medium size class (n = 445). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Medium

0

10203040

WDPBivalves Cancer Crabs

Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs Fawn Cusk-eel Silver Hake Cusk-eels Polychaetes Scup Manti

% Composition

A

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum) Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis) Scup (Stenotomus chrysops)
Figure 28B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for clearnose s

in the large size class (n = 489). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis

Large

0

102030

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Atlantic Croaker

Molluscs

Cusk-eels

Mantis Shrimp

Tonguef

% Composition

B

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias undulatus)
Figure 29. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for thorny ska

n = 3,435). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish

Thorny Skate

0

102030

Sea Mouse

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Hagfishe

% Composition

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 30A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for thorny skate (A

in the 1970s (n = 231). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentif

1970s

0

1020304050

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cephalopods

Chondrichthyes

Atlantic Herring

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Daubed shanny

Pandalids

P

W

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Daubed Shanny (Leptoclinus maculatus)

Windowpane Flounder (S
Figure 30B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for thorny skate (Am

in the 1980s (n = 796). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentif

1980s

0

102030

Sea Mouse

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Witch Flounder

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Hagfishes

Octopods

Pan

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Witch Flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus)
Figure 30C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for thorny skate (

in the 1990s (n = 1,768). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

1990s

0

102030

Sea Mouse

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Hagfishes

Octo

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 30D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for thorny skate (Am

in the 2000s (n = 640). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentifi

2000s

0

102030

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Hagfishes

Octopods

Pandalids

Polycha

Ac

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Acadian Redfish (U
Figure 31A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for thorny skate (A

on Georges Bank (n = 610). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uni

Georges Bank

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Sea Mouse

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Goosefish

Silver Hake

Longhorn Sculpin

Pag

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

Goosefish (Lophius americanus)
Figure 31B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for thorny skate (Am

in the Gulf of Maine (n = 2,383). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Gulf of Maine

0

102030

Sea Mouse

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Hagfishes

Octopods

Pa

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)
Figure 31C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for thorny skate (A

on the Scotian Shelf (n = 417). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Scotian Shelf

0

10203040

Sea Mouse

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Atlantic Cod

Gammarids

Goosefish

Hagfish

% Composition

C

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Goosefish (Lophius americanus)
Figure 32A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for thorny skate (Am

in the fall (n = 1,500). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentifie

Fall

0

102030

Sea Mouse

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Hagfishes

Octopods

P

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 32B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for thorny skate (A

in the spring (n = 1,508). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

Spring

0

102030

Sea Mouse

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Hagfishes

Octopods

Panda

% Composition

B

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Acadian Redfi
Figure 32C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for thorny skate (Am

in the summer (n = 393). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

Summer

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Sea Mouse

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Atlantic Herring

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Snake Blenny

Silver Hake

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Snake Blenny (Lumpenus lampretaeformis)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilineari
Figure 33A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for thorny skat

in the small size class (n = 1,006). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Small

0

10203040

WDP

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Isopods

Ocean Pout

Pa

% Composition

A

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
Figure 33B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for thorny skate (

in the medium size class (n = 1,509). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Medium

0

10203040

Sea Mouse

WDP

Cephalopods

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Isopods

Octopods

Pa

% Composition

B

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Figure 33C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for thorny ska

in the large size class (n = 587). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fi

Large

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Sea Mouse

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Hagfishes

Octopods

Pa

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 34. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for rosette ska

n = 700). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish.

Rosette Skate

0

102030

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Fawn Cusk-eel

P

% Composition

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)
Little Skate

05

101520

Amphipods WDPBivalves Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs GammaridsIsopods M

% Composition

Figure 35. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skat

n = 27,507). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fi
1970s

05

10152025

Ammodytes sp Sea MouseWDP Bivalves Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Decapod Shrimp Gammarids Pagu

% Composition

A

Figure 36A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skate (L

in the 1970s (n = 1,406). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
1980s

05

101520

Ammodytes sp AmphipodsWDP Bivalves Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs Gammarids Isopods Molluscs P

% Composition

B

Figure 36B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skate (Leuco

in the 1980s (n = 2,893). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentif
1990s

05

101520

AmphipodsWDPBivalves Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs GammaridsIsopods Molluscs P

% Composition

C

Figure 36C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skate (Leu

in the 1990s (n = 16,697). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide
2000s

05

101520

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

M

% Composition

D

Figure 36D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skate (Leu

in the 2000s (n = 6,511). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)
Mid-Atlantic Bight

05

101520

Amphipods WDPBivalves Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs GammaridsIsopods Mol

% Composition

A

Figure 37A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skate (Leu

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 7,621). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F
Figure 37B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skate (Leu

in Southern New England (n = 10,499). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid

Southern New England

0

102030

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Crab

Gammarids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk

% Composition

B

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundor
Figure 37C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skate (Le

on Georges Bank (n = 7,831). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Georges Bank

05

101520

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Isopods

% Composition

C

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Figure 37D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skate (Leu

collected in the Gulf of Maine (n = 1,334). WDP = well-digested prey; U

Gulf of Maine

0

102030

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

American Lobster

Isopods

Silver Hake

% Composition

D

American Lobster (Homarus americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis
Figure 37E. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skate (Leu

on the Scotian Shelf (n = 220). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Scotian Shelf

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Gammarids

Isopod

% Composition

E

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Fall

05

101520

AmphipodsWDPBivalves Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs GammaridsIsopods Pagurid

% Composition

A

Figure 38A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skate (L

in the fall (n = 7,403). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden
Spring

05

101520

Amphipods WDPBivalves Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs GammaridsIsopods Mol

% Composition

B

Figure 38B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skate (Leu

in the spring (n = 13,394). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden
Figure 38C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skate (Le

in the winter (n = 6,120). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

Winter

05

101520

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Isopods

Fawn 

% Composition

C

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium prof
Figure 38D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skate (Leu

in the summer (n = 590). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

Summer

05

101520

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Gammarids

American Lobster

Silver Hake

Pagurids

% Composition

D

American Lobster (Homarus americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Small

0

102030

Amphipods WDPBivalves Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs GammaridsIsopod

% Composition

A

Figure 39A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little sk

in the small size class (n = 6,194). WDP = well-digested prey; Un
Figure 39B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for little skate (Le

in the medium size class (n = 21,311). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Medium

05

1015

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

P

% Composition

B

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)
Figure 40. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth sk

n = 1,056). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish

Smooth Skate

0

102030

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Pa

% Composition
Figure 41A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth skate 

in the 1990s (n = 221). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unident

1990s

0

102030

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Fourbeard Rockling

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Pand

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)
2000s

0

10203040

WDP

Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Decapod Shrimp Euphausiids

% Composition

B

Figure 41B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth skate (M

in the 2000s (n = 709). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentif
Figure 42A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth skate (M

in the fall (n = 446). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified 

Fall

0

10203040

WDP

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 42B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth skate (Ma

in the spring (n = 558). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentifie

Spring

0

10203040

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Pandalids

Polychaete

% Composition

B
Figure 43A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth sk

in the small size class (n = 236). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Small

0

1020304050

WDP

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Mysids

Pan

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 43B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for smooth ska

in the medium size class (n = 790). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Medium

0

10203040

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Panda

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 44. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic he

n = 17,910). WDP = well-digested prey. 

Atlantic Herring

0

102030

Amphipods

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Larv

% Composition Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
1980s

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp Amphipods WDP Chaetognaths Copepods Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Decapod Shrimp Euph

% Composition

A

Figure 45A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herrin

in the 1980s (n = 564). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unident
Figure 45B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herring 

in the 1990s (n = 12,553). WDP = well-digested prey. 

1990s

0

102030

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Fish Larvae

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Larvac

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
2000s

0

10203040

WDPCopepods

Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids Fish Larvae Gammarids Hyp

% Composition

C

Figure 45C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herrin

in the 2000s (n = 4,697). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 46A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herring 

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 4,003). WDP = well-digested prey. 

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

10203040

Amphipods

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Copepods

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Fish Larvae

Gamm

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Southern New England

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp Amphipods WDP Chaetognaths Copepods Crangon Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids Gammarids 

% Composition

B

Figure 46B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herring 

collected in Southern New England (n = 4,653). WDP = well-digested prey
Georges Bank

0

102030

Amphipods WDP Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp Euphausiids Fish Larvae Gammarids Hyperiids LarvaceansM

% Composition

C

Figure 46C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herring (

on Georges Bank (n = 2,500). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid
Figure 46D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herring 

in the Gulf of Maine (n = 6,224). WDP = well-digested prey. 

Gulf of Maine

0

1020304050

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Silver Hake

% Composition

D

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Scotian Shelf

0

20406080

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp Decapod ShrimpEuphausiidsGammaridsH

% Composition

E

Figure 46E. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herring 

on the Scotian Shelf (n = 515). WDP = well-digested prey.
Figure 47A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herring (

in the fall (n = 4,496). WDP = well-digested prey. 

Fall

0

1020304050

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Larvaceans

Silver Hake

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 47B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herring 

in the spring (n = 9,765). WDP = well-digested prey. 

Spring

0

10203040

Amphipods

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Chaetognaths

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Euphausiids

Fish Larvae

Gammarids

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Winter

0

10203040

WDPCopepods

Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Euphausiids GammaridsHyperiidsMysids

% Composition

C

Figure 47C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herring 

in the winter (n = 2,441). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Summer

0

20406080

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea ShrimpCtenophoresEuphausiids M

% Composition

D

Figure 47D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herring 

in the summer (n = 1,208). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Small

0

10203040

WDPCopepods

Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids GammaridsHyperiids Larvaceans

% Composition

A

Figure 48A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herr

in the small size class (n = 4,413). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 48B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herrin

in the medium size class (n = 13,142). WDP = well-digested prey. 

Medium

0

102030

Amphipods

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Larvace

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Figure 48C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic herr

in the large size class (n = 255). WDP = well-digested prey. 

Large

0

1020304050

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Chaetognaths

Copepods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustaceans

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

H

% Composition

C

Silver Hake (M

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Alewife

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp Amphipods WDP Copepods Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids Hyperiids

% Composition

Figure 49. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for alewife (A

n = 404). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish
Blueback Herring

0

1020304050

Amphipods WDPCopepods

Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids GammaridsHyperii

% Composition

Figure 50. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for blueback 

n = 1,347). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

102030405060

Amphipods WDP Copepods

Crustacea ShrimpCrustaceansEupha

% Composition

A

Figure 51A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for blueback herring 

collected in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 552). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Southern New England

0

1020304050

Amphipods WDP Copepods Gammarids Hyperiids 

% Composition

B

Figure 51B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for blueback herring 

in Southern New England (n = 362). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Gulf of Maine

0

102030405060

WDPCopepods

Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Ctenophores Euphausiids GammaridsHyperiids 

% Composition

C

Figure 51C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for blueback herring 

in the Gulf of Maine (n = 372). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Extra Small

0

20406080

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea ShrimpCrustaceansEuphausiids My

% Composition

A

Figure 52A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for blueback herri

in the extra-small size class (n = 206). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Small

0

1020304050

Amphipods WDPCopepods

Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids GammaridsH

% Composition

B

Figure 52B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for blueback herr

in the small size class (n = 740). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Medium

0

102030405060

Amphipods WDPCopepods

Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids GammaridsHyperiids

% Composition

C

Figure 52C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for blueback he

in the medium size class (n = 401). WDP = well-digested prey.
American Shad

0

204060

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea ShrimpEuphausiidsGammarids My

% Composition

Figure 53. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American sh

n = 874). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 54A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American shad 

in Southern New England (n = 288). WDP = well-digested prey. 

Southern New England

0

20406080

100

WDP

Chaetognatha

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Mysi

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Gulf of Maine

0

20406080

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea ShrimpEuphausiidsGammarids M

% Composition

B

Figure 54B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American shad 

in the Gulf of Maine (n = 304). WDP = well-digested prey. 

Gulf of Maine

0

20406080

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea ShrimpEuphausiidsGammarids M

% Composition

B Gulf of Maine

0

20406080

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea ShrimpEuphausiidsGammarids M

% Composition

B
Small

0

10203040

WDP

Copepods

Crangon Shrimp Crustacea ShrimpEuphausiidsGammarids 

% Composition

A

Figure 55A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American sh

in the small size class (n = 238). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Medium

0

1020304050

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea ShrimpCrustaceansEuphausiids M

% Composition

B

Figure 55B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American s

in the medium size class (n = 404). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Large

0

20406080

WDP

Chaetognaths Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp Euphausii

% Composition

C

Figure 55C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American 

in the large size class (n = 213). WDP = well-digested prey.
Figure 56. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fawn cusk-eel 

n = 1,023). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Fawn Cusk-eel

0

1020304050

WDP

Bivalves

Copepods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

O

% Composition

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)
Figure 57A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fawn cusk-eel (

collected in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 422). WDP = well-digested prey; 

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

102030405060

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Fawn Cusk-eel

Ophiu

% Composition

A

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)
Southern New England

0

1020304050

WDPBivalves

Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids GammaridsIsopod

% Composition

B

Figure 57B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fawn cusk-eel (L

collected in Southern New England (n = 457). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 58A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fawn cusk-eel 

collected in the fall (n = 467). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Fall

0

1020304050

WDP

Bivalves

Copepods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Ophiuroid

Pleuro

% Composition

A

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)
Spring

0

10203040506070

Amphipods WDPBivalves

Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids Gammarids Ophi

% Composition

B

Figure 58B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fawn cusk-eel 

collected in the spring (n = 272). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Winter

0

102030405060

WDP

Crangon Shrimp Crustacea ShrimpCrustaceans EuphausiidsGammaridsO

% Composition

C

Figure 58C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fawn cusk-eel (

collected in the winter (n = 284). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Small

0

102030405060

WDP Copepods Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Euphausiids Gammarids HyperiidsIsopods Ophi

% Composition

A

Figure 59A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fawn cusk-eel (

in the small size class (n = 422). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 59B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fawn cusk-eel 

in the medium size class (n = 601). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis

Medium

0

1020304050

WDP

Bivalves

Copepods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Gammarids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Ophi

% Composition

B

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)
Figure 60. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (M

n = 9,488). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish

Haddock

0

102030

Amphipods

Anthozoans

WDP

Bivalves

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Echinoids

Echinoderms

Euphausiids

Fish Eggs

Gammarids

Miscellan

% Composition

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
1970s

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp AnthozoansWDPBivalves Cephalopods Decapod Shrimp Echinoids Echinoderms Euphausiids Gammarids Misc

% Composition

A

Figure 61A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (Mel

collected in the 1970s (n = 1,972). WDP = well-digested prey. 
1980s

0

102030

Ammodytes sp AmphipodsWDP Clupeids Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs Decapod Shrimp Echinoderms Euphausiids Fish Eggs Gammari

% Composition

B

Figure 61B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (Melano

collected in the 1980s (n = 1,461). WDP = well-digested prey. 
1990s

0

102030

Amphipods AnthozoansWDPBivalves Cancer Crabs Euphausiids Fish Eggs Gammarids Miscellaneous Molluscs O

% Composition

C

Figure 61C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (Melanog

in the 1990s (n = 1,279). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentifi
Figure 61D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (Melanog

in the 2000s (n = 4,776). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentifi

2000s

0

102030

Amphipods

Anthozoans

WDP

Bivalves

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Echinoids

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Miscellaneous

Ophiuroids

Pa

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Mack

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Southern New England

0

102030405060

Amphipods WDP Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Echinoids Euphausiids GammaridsMysids OphiuroidsS

% Composition

A

Figure 62A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (Melano

in Southern New England (n = 249). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 
Figure 62B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (Melanog

on Georges Bank (n = 4,324). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

Georges Bank

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Anthozoans

WDP

Bivalves

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Echinoids

Euphausiids

Fish Eggs

Gammarids

Miscellaneous

Oph

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Mack
Figure 62C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (Melanog

in Gulf of Maine (n = 2,833). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

Gulf of Maine

0

1020304050

Amphipods

Anthozoans

WDP

Bivalves

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Echinoderms

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Miscellaneous

Ophiu

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
Scotian Shelf

0

10203040

AmphipodsWDP Bivalves Decapod Crabs Decapod Shrimp Echinoids Echinoderms Euphausiids Fish Eggs Gammarids Holothuroid

M

% Composition

D

Figure 62D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (Mela

collected on the Scotian Shelf (n = 1,973). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 63A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (Me

collected in the fall (n = 4,385). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

Fall

0

102030

Anthozoans

WDP

Bivalves

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Fish Eggs

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Miscellaneous

Ophiu

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 63B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (Me

collected in the spring (n = 4,176). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Spring

05

101520

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Echinoids

Echinoderms

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Holothuroids

Miscellaneous

Molluscs

Ophiu

% Composition

B

Atlantic Mack
Winter

0

204060

WDP Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs Echinoids EuphausiidsIsopods Molluscs Ophiuroids Pandalids

% Composition

C

Figure 63C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (M

collected in the winter (n = 219). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F
Summer

0

102030

Ammodytes sp Anthozoans WDP Cancer Crabs Echinoids Echinoderms Euphausiids Gammarids Miscellaneo

% Composition

D

Figure 63D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (Mela

collected in the summer (n = 708). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Small

0

102030

Amphipods WDP Caprellids

Crustacea Shrimp Decapods Decapod Crabs Euphausiids Gammarids Holothuroids Ophi

% Composition

A

Figure 64A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (Me

in the small size class (n = 1,196). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Medium

05

101520

Ammodytes sp Amphipods AnthozoansWDP Bivalves Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs Decapod Shrimp Euphausiids Fish Eggs Gammarids Miscellane

% Composition

B

Figure 64B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (Mel

in the medium size class (n = 5,154). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 64C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for haddock (M

in the large size class (n = 3,108). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Large

0

102030

Amphipods

Anthozoans

WDP

Bivalves

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Echinoids

Echinoderms

Euphausiids

Fish Eggs

Gammarids

Miscellaneous

O

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Ma
Figure 65. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic c

n = 19,645). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified f

Atlantic Cod

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Fish Eggs

Gadiformes

Gastropods

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Molluscs

Longhorn Sculpin

Ophiuroids

Paguri

P

% Composition

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Macke
Figure 66A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic cod 

in the 1970s (n = 1,940). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid

1970s

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Sea Mouse

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Atlantic Cod

Gastropods

American Plaice

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Haddock

Silver Hake

Pagurids

Pandalids

Sc

Pleuro

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mack

Acadi

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Bluefish (Po
Figure 66B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic cod 

in the 1980s (n = 6,389). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid

1980s

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Gastropods

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Molluscs

Ophiuroids

Pagurids

Panda

Ple

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 66C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic cod (

in the 1990s (n = 8,252). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

1990s

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Crabs

Fish Eggs

Gastropods

Silver Hake

Molluscs

Longhorn Sculpin

Oph

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)
Figure 66D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic cod (G

collected in the 2000s (n = 3,064). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis

2000s

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gadiformes

Gastropods

American Plaice

Haddock

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Scallops

Atlantic Mack

Acad

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scomb

R

Acadian Redfish (Sebast
Figure 67A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic cod (

in Southern New England (n = 1,226). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Southern New England

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Sea Mouse

Ocean Quahog

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Crab

Decapod Shrimp

Atlantic Cod

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Scallops

Winter Flounder

Pleuronectiforme

Sco

Atl

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Ocean Quahog (Arctica islandica )

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Winter Flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scom

Spiny Dogfis
Figure 67B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic cod 

on Georges Bank (n = 8,041). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Georges Bank

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Fish Eggs

Gastropods

Haddock

Silver Hake

Molluscs

Longhorn Sculpi

P

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosu

Atlantic M
Figure 67C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic cod (

in Gulf of Maine (n = 7,882). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Gulf of Maine

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

American Plaice

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Ophiuroids

Pand

Pleur

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Acadian Redfish 
Figure 67D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic cod 

on the Scotian Shelf (n = 2,417). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis

Scotian Shelf

0

102030

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Misc. Materi

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mackerel (

Acadian R
Figure 68A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic cod 

in the fall (n = 7,170). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unident

Fall

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Fish Eggs

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Ophiuroids

Pandalids

Sc

A

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mackerel (Sco

Acadian R
Figure 68B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic cod (

collected in the spring (n = 10,114). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Spring

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Gadiformes

Gastropods

American Plaice

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Molluscs

Longhorn Sculpin

Ophiuroids

Pagu

P

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

Atlantic Mack
Figure 68C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic cod 

in the winter (n = 1,389). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid

Winter

0

102030

Sand Lance

Aphroditids

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Gastropods

Silver Hake

Pandal

Pleu

% Composition

C

Ammodytes sp

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 68D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic cod 

in the summer (n = 972). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish.

D Summer

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Silver Hake

% Composition

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Poll

D Summer

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Silver Hake

% Composition

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Poll
Figure 69A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic co

small size class (n = 1,827). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Small

0

102030

Alewife

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Fish Eggs

Gastropods

Silver Hake

Longhorn Sculpin

Ophiuroid

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

P

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)
Figure 69B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic cod 

medium size class (n = 7,749). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

Medium

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Fish Eggs

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Molluscs

Ophiuroids

P

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 69C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic co

in the large size class (n = 8,223). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Large

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Fish Eggs

Gadiformes

Gastropods

Silver Hake

Molluscs

Ophiuroid

P

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Atlantic M
Figure 69D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic cod (

in the extra-large size class (n = 1,846). WDP = well-digested prey; Uni

Extra Large

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Crabs

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

Gastropods

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Longhorn Sculpin

Pleuronectiformes

Scom

Atlanti

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scombe

Acadian Redfish (S

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)
Figure 70. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock 

n = 5,820). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified 

Pollock

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Pand

% Composition

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (P
Figure 71A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock (Po

in the 1970s (n = 630). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

1970s

0

10203040

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Poll

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mackerel (S

Pollock (Pollachius vir
Figure 71B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock (Po

in the 1980s (n = 1,579). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = un

1980s

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Pand

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (P
Figure 71C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock (Pol

in the 1990s (n = 2,413). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid

1990s

0

102030

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Butterf

A

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanth

Atlantic Mackerel (Sc
Figure 71D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock (Po

in the 2000s (n = 1,198). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid

2000s

0

102030

Alewife WDP Atlantic Herring Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Shrimp Euphausiids Illex Squid Silver Hake Pandal

A

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis) Atlantic Mackerel (Sc

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)
Figure 72A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock (Po

on Georges Bank (n = 1,568). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Georges Bank

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Hyperiids

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Butte

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanth

Atlantic Mackerel (S
Figure 72B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock (Polla

collected in the Gulf of Maine (n = 3,132). WDP = well-digested prey; U

Gulf of Maine

0

10203040

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Pandali

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Pollock (

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
Figure 72C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock (Po

on the Scotian Shelf (n = 1,045). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fi

Scotian Shelf

0

10203040

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Bu

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triac

Atlantic Mackerel (
Figure 73A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock (Pol

in the fall (n = 2,551). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

Fall

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pa

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (P
Figure 73B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock (Po

in the spring (n = 2,980). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = un

Spring

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Hyperiids

Silver Hak

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinear
Figure 73C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock (Pol

in the summer (n = 263). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Summer

0

20406080

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Loligo Squid

Silver H

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilin
Figure 74A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock (P

small size class (n = 772). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Small

0

20406080

Amphipods

WDP

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Silver Hake

M

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 74B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock (P

medium size class (n = 2,503). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis

Medium

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Silver Hake

Pandalids

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus t
Figure 74C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock (P

large size class (n = 1,918). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Large

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Silver H

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilin
Figure 74D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for pollock (P

extra-large size class (n = 627). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Extra-large

0

10203040

Alewife Ammodytes sp Clupeids Atlantic Herring Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Shrimp Euphausiids Loligo Squid Silver Hake Pandalids Butterfish

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis) Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus) Atlantic Macker

Pollock (Pollac

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)
Figure 75. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for offshore ha

n = 800). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Offshore Hake

0

1020304050

WDP

Cephalopods

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Offshore Hake

Silver Hake

% Composition

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis

Offshore Hake (Merluccius albidus)
Figure 76A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for offshore hake 

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 404). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

10203040506070

WDP

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Offshore Hake

Myctophids

% Composition

A

Offshore Hake (Merluccius albidus)
Figure 76B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for offshore hake (M

in Southern New England (n = 345). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis

Southern New England

0

102030405060

WDP

Cephalopods

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Longfin Squid

Silver H

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius biline

Butterfish (Pe
Figure 77. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake 

n = 47,837). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish

Silver Hake

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Butterfish

S

% Composition

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Mackerel 
Figure 78A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake (M

collected in the 1970s (n = 4,277). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

1970s

0

1020304050

Ammodytes sp

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Butterf

A

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanth

Atlantic Mackerel (Sc
Figure 78B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake (M

collected in the 1980s (n = 12,679). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

1980s

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Butterfish

S

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Mackerel 
Figure 78C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake (M

collected in the 1990s (n = 22,779). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

1990s

0

102030

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Butterfish

Scom

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Mackerel (S
Figure 78D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake (M

collected in the 2000s (n = 8,102). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

2000s

0

102030

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pand

A

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mackerel (Sc
Figure 79A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake (Merlu

collected in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 5,007). WDP = well-digested prey; U

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Engraulids

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Butt

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triaca
Figure 79B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake (Merlu

collected in Southern New England (n = 10,624). WDP = well-digested prey; 

Southern New England

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Butte

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacan

Atlantic Mack
Figure 79C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake (M

collected on Georges Bank (n = 8,670). WDP = well-digested prey; Uni

Georges Bank

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Pandalids

B

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triac

Atlantic Mackerel (
Figure 79D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake (Mer

collected in the Gulf of Maine (n = 21,204). WDP = well-digested prey; U

Gulf of Maine

0

102030

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Scombr

A

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mackerel (S
Figure 79E. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake (M

collected on the Scotian Shelf (n = 2,290). WDP = well-digested prey; U

Scotian Shelf

0

1020304050

WDP

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

A

% Composition

E

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Saury (Scomb
Figure 80A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver ha

collected in the fall (n = 21,465). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid

Fall

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Butterfish

Sco

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Mackerel (
Figure 80B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake (

collected in the spring (n = 18,894). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Spring

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Butte

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacan

Atlantic Mack
Figure 80C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake 

collected in the winter (n = 3,826). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Winter

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Butterfish

S

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Mackere
Figure 80D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake (M

collected in the summer (n = 3,652). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Summer

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis
Figure 81A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake (

in the small size class (n = 14,059). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Small

0

102030

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Pan

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mackerel (S
Figure 81B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake (M

in the medium size class (n = 32,446). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Medium

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

B

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus tria

Atlantic Mackerel 
Figure 81C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for silver hake 

in the large size class (n = 1,332). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Large

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Butterfish

Scombrids

Atl

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomb
Figure 82. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake 

n = 14,348). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fi

White Hake

0

10203040

WDP

Argentines

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Silver Hake

Pand

% Composition

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

W
Figure 83A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hak

collected in the 1970s (n = 682). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

1970s

0

204060

WDP

Clupeids

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Illex Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Winter Flounder

Un

% Composition

A

Winter Flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Red Ha
Figure 83B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake 

collected in the 1980s (n = 4,177). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

1980s

0

10203040

WDP

Argentines

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Illex Squid

Silver 

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bili
Figure 83C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake 

collected in the 1990s (n = 7,617). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

1990s

0

10203040

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Silver Hake

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 83D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake 

collected in the 2000s (n = 1,872). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

2000s

0

1020304050

WDP

Argentines

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Haddock

Silver Hake

Pand

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Figure 84A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake (U

in Southern New England (n = 533). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Southern New England

0

102030405060

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crab

Gadiformes

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

B

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus tria

Northern Searobin 
Figure 84B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake (U

on Georges Bank (n = 1,575). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Georges Bank

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Gadiformes

Haddock

Silver Hake

Hagfishes

Pandalids

Un

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Red H

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Figure 84C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake (U

in the Gulf of Maine (n = 10,683). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fi

Gulf of Maine

0

10203040

WDP

Argentines

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Silver Hake

Pa

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 84D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake (U

on the Scotian Shelf (n = 1,467). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Scotian Shelf

0

10203040

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Haddock

Silver Hake

Pandal

A

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mackerel (Sc

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Figure 85A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake (U

collected in the fall (n = 7,766). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

Fall

0

10203040

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Acadian R

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Acadian Redfish (Sebastes fas
Figure 85B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake (U

in the spring (n = 4,388). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid

Spring

0

10203040

WDP

Argentines

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Silver Hake

Pandalid

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 85C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake (U

in the winter (n = 236). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Winter

0

1020304050

Cephalopods

Gulf Stream Flounder

Clupeids

Decapod Shrimp

Gadiformes

Blackberry Rosefish

Loligo Squid

Haddock

Silver H

% Composition

C

Silver Hake (Merluccius biline

Blackbelly Rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Gulf Stream Flounder Citharichthys arctifrons)

Butterfish (Pe
Figure 85D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake (

in the summer (n = 1,958). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Summer

0

10203040

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 86A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake 

small size class (n = 1,700). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Small

0

1020304050

WDP

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 86B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake 

medium size class (n = 5,617). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis

Medium

0

102030

WDP

Clupeids

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Silver Hake

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 86C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for white hake (

large size class (n = 7,031). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Large

0

10203040

WDP

Argentines

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Acadian Redfish

U

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Acadian Redfish (Sebastes fasciatus)

Red H
Figure 87. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hak

n = 17,841). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified 

Red Hake

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Loligo 

% Composition

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merlucc
1970s

0

10203040

WDPBivalves Cancer Crabs Cephalopods Crangon Shrimp Crustaceans Decapod Shrimp Euphausiids Gammarids Pagurids P

% Composition

A

Figure 88A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (U

collected in the 1970s (n = 1,662). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F
Figure 88B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (U

collected in the 1980s (n = 4,765). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

1980s

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Haddock

Sil

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius b

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus
Figure 88C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (U

collected in the 1990s (n = 7,906). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

1990s

05

101520

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Fourbeard Rockling

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

C

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)
Figure 88D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (U

collected in the 2000s (n = 3,508). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

2000s

0

102030

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Fourbeard Rockling

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Mysids

Atlantic Hagfish

Pan

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Atlantic Hagfish (Myxine glutinosa)

Butterfi
Figure 89A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (Ur

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 1,106). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Illex Squid

Molluscs

Pagurids

Pand

% Composition

A
Figure 89B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (Uro

in Southern New England (n = 4,649). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid

Southern New Enlgand

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Isopods

Loligo Squ

% Composition

B

Butterfish (Pe
Figure 89C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (Ur

on Georges Bank (n = 4,022). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Georges Bank

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Hagfishe

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 89D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (U

in the Gulf of Maine (n = 7,383). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Gulf of Maine

05

101520

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Fourbeard Rockling

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Cusk

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)
Figure 89E. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (Urop

collected on the Scotian Shelf (n = 681). WDP = well-digested prey; Un

Scotian Shelf

0

102030405060

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Haddock

Sil

% Composition

E

Silver Hake (Merluccius b

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Figure 90A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (Ur

in the fall (n = 8,399). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

Fall

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Haddock

Silve

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bili

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Figure 90B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (Uro

in the spring (n = 6,437). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

Spring

05

101520

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hak

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilineari
Figure 90C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (Ur

in the winter (n = 1,270). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uni

Winter

0

102030

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Conger Eels

Crangon Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

% Composition

C

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus t

Scup 
Figure 90D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (Ur

in the summer (n = 1,735). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = un

Summer

0

10203040

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Decapod Shrimp

Fourbeard Rockling

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Pandalid

% Composition

D

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)
Figure 91A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (U

in the small size class (n = 3,493). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Small

0

102030

Amphipods

Anguilliformes

WDP

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Fourbeard Rockling

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Octop

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)
Figure 91B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (Uro

in the medium size class (n = 12,273). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid

Medium

05

1015

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Silv

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bil
Figure 91C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for red hake (U

in the large size class (n = 2,075). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Large

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Fourbeard Rockling

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Haddock

Silver 

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilin

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Figure 92. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spotted h

n = 13,297). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified 

Spotted Hake

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Gulf Stream Flounder

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Illex Squid

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Mysids

Pand

% Composition

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Gulf Stream Flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons)

Scup 

Butterfish (Pep
1970s

0

20406080

WDP

Cancer Crabs Cephalopods Crangon Shrimp Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Euphausiids Gammarids Hyperiids Cusk

% Composition

A

Figure 93A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spotted hake (U

in the 1970s (n = 476). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentif
Figure 93B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spotted hake (U

collected in the 1980s (n = 1,296). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

1980s

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Gulf Stream Flounder

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Gastropods

Isopods

Loligo Squid

Pearlsides

Silve

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bili

Gulf Stream Flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons)

Pearlsides (Maurolicus weitzmani )
Figure 93C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spotted ha

in the 1990s (n = 7,042). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = un

1990s

0

102030

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Gulf Stream Flounder

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Myctophids

Mysids

Cusk

% Composition

C

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

S

Butterfish (P

Gulf Stream Flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons)
Figure 93D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spotted hake (

in the 2000s (n = 4,483). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

2000s

05

101520

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crab

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Illex Squid

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Scallops

B

% Composition

D

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Scup (Ste

Butterfish (Peprilus tria
Figure 94A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spotted hake (Urop

collected in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 8,908). WDP = well-digested prey; U

Mid-Atlantic Bight

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Illex Squid

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Myctophids

Mysid

P

% Composition

A

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Scup (
Figure 94B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spotted hake (

in Southern New England (n = 3,809). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid

Southern New England

05

101520

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Gulf Stream Flounder

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Cusk-eels

Pan

% Composition

B

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Butterfish (P

Gulf Stream Flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)
Figure 94C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spotted hake 

on Georges Bank (n = 304). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = un

Georges Bank

0

102030405060

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Fawn Cusk-eel

Si

% Composition

C

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius 
Figure 95A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spotted hake (

in the fall (n = 6,677). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidenti

Fall

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Gulf Stream Flounder

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Illex Squid

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

M

% Composition

A

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Gulf Stream Flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Spring

05

101520

Ammodytes spWDP Bivalves Cancer Crabs Cephalopods Atlantic Herring Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crab Euphausiids Gammarids Isopods Loligo Squid Myctophids Pandalids But

% Composition

B

Figure 95B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spotted hake 

in the spring (n = 3,471). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid

Scup (Stenoto

Butterfish (Peprilus triac

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
Figure 95C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spotted hake (

in the winter (n = 3,100). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

Winter

0

102030

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

% Composition

C

Butterfish (Peprilus t

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Scup (
Figure 96A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spotted hake 

small size class (n = 4,276). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Small

05

1015

Amphipods

WDP

Argentines

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Gastropods

Hyperiids

Myctophids

M

% Composition

A
Figure 96B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spotted hak

medium size class (n = 8,995). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

Medium

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Gulf Stream Flounder

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Illex Squid

Isopods

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandal

% Composition B

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Gulf Stream Flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Pep

Scup 
Figure 97. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish 

n = 10,188). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified f

Goosefish

0

10203040

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

American Plaice

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Goosefish

Haddock

Silver Hake

Summer Flounder

Butterfish

Pleuronectiformes

Skates

Scombrids

Atlantic Macker

Acadian 

% Composition

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Goosefish (Lophius americanus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Summer Flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Scup (Stenot

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombr

Acadian Redfish (Sebastes f

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)
Figure 98A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (Lop

in the 1970s (n = 587). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish.

A 1970s

0

10203040

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Gadiformes

American Plaice

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Lophiids

Silver Hake

Longhorn Sculpin

Skates

% Composition

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)
Figure 98B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (Lop

collected in the 1980s (n = 1,383). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

1980s

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Argentines

Atlantic Herring

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

American Plaice

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Goosefish

Silver Hake

Butterfish

Pleuronectiformes

Little Skate

Thorny Skate

Scomb

% Composition

B

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Goosefish (Lophius americanus)

Scup (Stenotomu

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Thorny Skate (Amblyraja radiata)

Little Skate (Leucoraja erinacea)
Figure 98C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (Lop

in the 1990s (n = 4,385). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

1990s

0

10203040

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Lumpfish

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Summer Flounder

Skates

Little Skate

Scombrids

Atlantic M

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Red 

Summer Flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber sco

Little Skate (Leucoraja erinacea)

Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)
Figure 98D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (Lop

in the 2000s (n = 3,833). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

2000s

0

1020304050

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Gadiformes

Loligo Squid

Goosefish

Tilefish

Haddock

Silver Hake

Pleuronectiformes

Skates

Atlantic Mackerel

Acadian R

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Goosefish (Lophius americanus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Acadian Redfish (Sebastes fa

Scup (Sten

Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps)
Figure 99A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (Lop

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 2,265). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

10203040

WDP

Atlantic Herring

Gadiformes

Loligo Squid

Goosefish

Silver Hake

Summer Flounder

Butterfish

Pleuronectiformes

Skates

Clearnose Skate

Scombrids

Atlantic Mackerel

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Goosefish (Lophius americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Scup (Stenotomus ch

Summer Flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Clearnose Skate (Raja eglanteria)
Figure 99B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (Lop

in Southern New England (n = 3,953). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Southern New England

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Gadiformes

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Tilefish

Silver Hake

Butterfish

Little Skate

Scombrids

Atlantic M

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber sco

Scup (Steno

Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Little Skate (Leucoraja erinacea)
Figure 99C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (Lop

on Georges Bank (n = 1,006). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Georges Bank

0

10203040

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

Illex Squid

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Haddock

Silver Hake

Skat

Atlan

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomb

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)
Figure 99D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (Lop

in the Gulf of Maine (n = 2,761). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Gulf of Maine

0

1020304050

Argentines

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Lumpfish

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

American Plaice

Illex Squid

Goosefish

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Acadian R

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Red 

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Acadian Redfish (Sebastes fas

Goosefish (Lophius americanus)

Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)
Figure 100A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (Lop

in the fall (n = 2,823). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidenti

Fall

0

10203040

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Lumpfish

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Haddock

Silver Hake

Butterfish

Skates

Little Skate

Acadian Redfi

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

R

Little Skate (Leucoraja erinacea)

Acadian Redfish (Sebastes fasciatu

Scup (Stenotomu
Figure 100B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (Lop

collected in the spring (n = 2,568). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Spring

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Argentines

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

American Plaice

Spot

Goosefish

Lophiids

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Pleuronectiformes

Skates

Scombrids

Atlantic Mack

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Goosefish (Lophius americanus)

Red H

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scomb

Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Spo
Figure 100C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (Lop

in the winter (n = 4,246). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

Winter

0

1020304050

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Loligo Squid

Tilefish

Silver Hake

Summer Flounder

Skates

Little Skate

Scombrids

Atlantic Macke

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombr

Scup (Stenotom

Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps)

Summer Flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Little Skate (Leucoraja erinacea)
Figure 100D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (Lo

in the summer (n = 551). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid

Summer

0

1020304050

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

American Plaice

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Skat

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Red 
Figure 101A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (Lo

small size class (n = 3,095). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Small

0

1020304050

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

U

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Red Hak

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)
Figure 101B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (L

medium size class (n = 5,471). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

Medium

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Gadiformes

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Summer Flounder

Butterfish

Skates

Scombrids

Atlantic Mackerel

S

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Scup (Stenotomus chry

Summer Flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Red Hak

Spot
Figure 101C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for goosefish (L

large size class (n = 1,420). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Large

0

10203040

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

American Plaice

Illex Squid

Goosefish

Tilefish

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Summer Flounder

Skates

Little Skate

Scom

Atla

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Goosefish (Lophius americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomb

Acadian Redfish 

Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps)

Summer Flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Little Skate (Leucoraja erinacea)
Figure 102. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Acadian redfi

n = 3,904). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Acadian Redfish

0

102030

WDP

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Mysids

Pa

% Composition

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 103A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Acadian red

collected in the 1970s (n = 660). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

1970s

0

20406080

Copepods

Crustaceans

Decapods

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

P

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 103B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Acadian red

collected in the 1980s (n = 578). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fi

1980s

0

1020304050

Amphipods

WDP

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 103C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Acadian red

collected in the 1990s (n = 326). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis

1990s

0

10203040

WDP

Crustacea Shrimp

Ctenophores

Euphausiids

Larvaceans

Silver Hake

Mysids

% Composition

C

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 103D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Acadian red

collected in the 2000s (n = 2,340). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

2000s

0

10203040

WDP

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Hyperiids

Silver Hake

% Composition

D

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 104A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Acadian redfish 

collected in the Gulf of Maine (n = 3,149). WDP = well-digested prey; U

Gulf of Maine

0

102030

WDP

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Mysids

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Scotian Shelf

0

204060

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp Decapod ShrimpEuphausiidsGamm

% Composition

B

Figure 104B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Acadian redfish (

on the Scotian Shelf (n = 582). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 105A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Acadian redfish (

in the fall (n = 2,152). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified 

Fall

0

10203040

WDP

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Hyperiids

Larvaceans

Silver Hake

Mysids

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 105B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Acadian redfish (

in the spring (n = 1,748). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentif

Spring

0

102030

WDP

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Silver Hake

Mysids

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Small

0

10203040

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp Decapod ShrimpEuphausiids Mysids

% Composition

A

Figure 106A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Acadian redfis

small size class (n = 1,592). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uni
Figure 106B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Acadian redfish 

medium size class (n = 2,312). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Medium

0

102030

WDP

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Silver Hake

Mysids

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Blackbelly Rosefish

0

10203040

WDP Crustacea Shrimp Ctenophores Decapod Crabs Decapod Shrimp Euphausiids Illex Squid Larvaceans Ophiuroids Pand

% Composition

Figure 107. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for blackbelly rosefis

n = 957). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 
Figure 108A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for blackbelly ros

collected in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 300). WDP = well-digested pre

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

10203040

WDP

Gulf Stream Flounder

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Larvae

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Ophiuroids

Pand

% Composition

A

Gulf Stream Flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons)
Gulf of Maine

0

1020304050

WDP

Cephalopods Crustacea Shrimp Ctenophores Decapod Crabs Decapod Shrimp EuphausiidsIsopods Ophiuroids Pan

% Composition

B

Figure 108B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for blackbelly rosefis

collected in the Gulf of Maine (n = 332). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 
Fall

0

1020304050

WDP Crustacea Shrimp Ctenophores Decapod Crabs Euphausiids Gammarids Illex SquidIsopods Larvaceans Ophiuroids 

% Composition

A

Figure 109A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for blackbelly rosefis

collected in fall (n = 443). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unident
Spring

0

1020304050

WDP

Cephalopods Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs Decapod Shrimp Euphausiids Ophiuroids Pandalids Polych

% Composition

B

Figure 109B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for blackbelly rosefi

collected in spring (n = 372). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid
Small

0

102030

WDP Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs Decapod Shrimp Euphausiids Gammarids Illex Squid Ophiuroids Pandalids Polyc

% Composition

A

Figure 110A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for blackbelly rosefis

in the small size class (n = 677). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u
Figure 110B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for blackbelly rosefi

in the medium size class (n = 279). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

Medium

0

102030405060

WDP

Cephalopods

Crustacea Shrimp

Ctenophores

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Isopods

Larvaceans

Silver Hake

Ophiuroids

P

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 111. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn s

octodecemspinosus; n = 12,188). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Longhorn Sculpin

05

10152025

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Gammarids

Pagurids

Pan

% Composition

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
1970s

0

1020304050

Ammodytes spWDP Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Decapod Shrimp Gammarids MiscellaneousMysids 

% Composition

A

Figure 112A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn sculpin (M

collected in the 1970s (n = 715). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid
Figure 112B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn sculpin (M

collected in the 1980s (n = 1,346). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

1980s

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Pagurids

% Composition

B

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Figure 112C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn sculpin (M

collected in the 1990s (n = 6,484). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

1990s

05

10152025

Ammodytes sp

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Gammarids

Isopods

Silver Hake

% Composition

C

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 112D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn sculpin (M

collected in the 2000s (n = 3,643). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

2000s

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Gammarids

Moll

% Composition

D

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Figure 113A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn sculpin (M

collected in Southern New England (n = 1,898). WDP = well-digested prey; U

Southern New England

0

102030

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Gammarids

Isopods

Moll

% Composition

A

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Figure 113B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn sculpin (M

collected on Georges Bank (n = 6,703). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

Georges Bank

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Pagurid

% Composition

B

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Figure 113C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn sculpin (M

collected in the Gulf of Maine (n = 2,825). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Gulf of Maine

05

10152025

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Gamm

% Composition

C

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)
Figure 113D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn sculpin (M

collected on the Scotian Shelf (n = 748). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis

Scotian Shelf

0

102030

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

I

% Composition

D

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Figure 114A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn sculpin (My

collected in the fall (n = 3,654). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

Fall

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Sea Mouse

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Pagurid

% Composition

A

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 114B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn sculpin (Myo

collected in the spring (n = 6,873). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uni

Spring

05

10152025

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Gammarids

Isopods

Moll

% Composition

B

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Figure 114C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn sculpin (My

collected in the winter (n = 897). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

Winter

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Gammarids

Gastropod

Longh

% Composition

C

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octode
Figure 114D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn sculpin (My

collected in the summer (n = 764). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Summer

0

1020304050

Ammodytes sp

Sea Mouse

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Gammarids

Gastropods

Pagurids

Pa

% Composition

D

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Figure 115A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn sculpin (My

in the small size class (n = 6,126). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uni

Small

05

101520

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Pandal

% Composition

A

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 115B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longhorn sculpin (My

in the medium size class (n = 6,062). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Medium

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Gammarids

Isopods

Molluscs

Pa

% Composition

B

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Figure 116. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (He

n = 7,472). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Sea Raven

0

102030

Atlantic Wolffish

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Wrymouth

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

American Plaice

Fawn Cusk-eel

Yellowtail Flounder

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Ha

Longho

P

% Composition

Atlantic Wolffish (Anarhichas lupus)

Atlantic Herrimg (Clupea harengus)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Yellowtail Flounder (Limanda ferruginea)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinea

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecem
Figure 117A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (Hemit

in the 1980s (n = 1,072). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

1980s

0

10203040

Cusk 

Cancer Crabs

Wrymouth

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

American Plaice

Fawn Cusk-eel

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Longh

% Composition

A

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Cusk (Brosme brosme)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodec
Figure 117B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (Hemitr

in the 1990s (n = 3,765). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

1990s

0

102030

Atlantic Wolffish

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Longhorn 

Pl

% Composition

B

Atlantic Wolffish (Anarhichas lupus)

Atlantic Herrimg (Clupea harengus)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecems
Figure 117C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (Hemitr

in the 2000s (n = 2,519). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

2000s

0

102030

Cancer Crabs

Atlantic Herring

Gadiformes

American Plaice

Illex Squid

Yellowtail Flounder

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Longhorn Sculpin

Winter Flounder

Pleuronectids

Pleuronectif

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herrimg (Clupea harengus)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Yellowtail Flounder (Limanda ferruginea)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Winter Flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)
Figure 118A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (Hemit

in Southern New England (n = 906). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Southern New England

0

1020304050

Cancer Crabs

Gadiformes

Yellowtail Flounder

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Summer Flounder

Pleuronectiformes

Skates

Little Skate

Windowpa

% Composition

A

Yellowtail Flounder (Limanda ferruginea)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Cunner (Tautogolabr

Little Skate (Leucoraja erinacea)

Windowpane Flounder (Scophthalmus aquo

Summer Flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)
Georges Bank

05

10152025

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Crabs

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

Fawn Cusk-eel

Yellowtail Flounder

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Longhorn S

Ple

% Composition

B

Figure 118B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (Hemitr

on Georges Bank (n = 3,760). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Atlantic Herrimg (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Yellowtail Flounder (Limanda ferruginea)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspi

Windowpane Flounder 
Figure 118C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (Hemitr

in the Gulf of Maine (n = 1,992). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Gulf of Maine

0

102030

Atlantic Wolffish

Cusk 

Clupeids

Wrymouth

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

American Plaice

Illex Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Longhorn Scul

Wi

% Composition

C

Atlantic Wolffish (Anarhichas lupus)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Cusk (Brosme brosme)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinos

Winter Flounder (Pseudopleuronecte
Figure 118D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (Hemitr

on the Scotian Shelf (n = 760). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Scotian Shelf

0

10203040

Cusk 

Cancer Crabs

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

American Plaice

Illex Squid

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Longhorn S

% Composition

DFourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Cusk (Brosme brosme)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspi
Figure 119A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (Hemitri

in the fall (n = 2,512). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Fall

05

10152025

Cusk 

Cancer Crabs

Atlantic Herring

Wrymouth

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

Illex Squid

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Longhorn Sc

Pleu

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herrimg (Clupea harengus)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspi

Cusk (Brosme brosme)
Figure 119B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (Hem

in the spring (n = 3,898). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish.

Spring

0

10203040

Cancer Crabs

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

American Plaice

Yellowtail Flounder

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Longhorn Sculpin

Winter Flounder

Pleuronectif

% Composition

B

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Yellowtail Flounder (Limanda ferruginea)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Winter Flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)
Figure 119C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (Hemit

in the winter (n = 459). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Winter

0

1020304050

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Fawn Cusk-eel

Yellowtail Flounder

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Cusk-eels

Pleuronectiformes

% Composition

C

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Yellowtail Flounder (Limanda ferruginea)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Figure 119D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (Hemit

in the summer (n = 603). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Summer

0

102030

Atlantic Wolffish

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Wrymouth

Fourbeard Rockling

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Longhorn Sculpin

Cunner

U

% Composition

D

Atlantic Wolffish (Anarhichas lupus)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

Red H

Cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus)
Figure 120A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (H

in the small size class (n = 2,302). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Small

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Wrymouth

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

Illex Squid

Fawn Cusk-eel

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Longhorn Sculpin

Cusk-eels

Pandal

R

% Composition

A

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

Rock Gunnel (Phol
Figure 120B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (H

in the medium size class (n = 4,942). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Medium

0

102030

Cancer Crabs

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

American Plaice

Yellowtail Flounder

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Longhorn Sc

Pleur

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herrimg (Clupea harengus)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Yellowtail Flounder (Limanda ferruginea)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspin
Figure 120C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for sea raven (

in the large size class (n = 228). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Large

0

1020304050

Atlantic Wolffish

Cusk 

Cancer Crabs

Atlantic Cod

American Plaice

Yellowtail Flounder

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Longhorn Sculpin

Pleuronec

% Composition

C

Cusk (Brosme brosme)

Atlantic Wolffish (Anarhichas lupus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

Yellowtail Flounder (Limanda ferruginea)
Northern Searobin

05

10152025

AmphipodsWDP Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Euphausiids Gammarids IsopodsMysids Ophiur

% Composition

Figure 121. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern 

n = 727). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fis
Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

102030

WDPBivalves Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Euphausiids GammaridsIsopods

% Composition

A

Figure 122A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern searob

collected in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 481). WDP = well-digested prey
Southern New England

0

10203040

AmphipodsWDP Cancer Crabs Caprellids Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Decapods Decapod Crabs GammaridsMysids 

% Composition

B

Figure 122B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern searobin 

in Southern New England (n = 210). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 
Fall

0

102030

AmphipodsWDP Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs Euphausiids GammaridsIsopodsMysids 

% Composition

A

Figure 123A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern searobin 

in the fall (n = 301). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified f
Spring

0

1020304050

AmphipodsWDP

Pleuronectiformes Cancer Crabs Copepods Crangon Shrimp Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Decapod Shrimp Euphausiids G

% Composition

B

Figure 123B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern searobin 

in the spring (n = 217). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Winter

0

102030405060

WDP

Cancer Crabs Decapod Crabs EchinodermsGammarids Isopods

% Composition

C

Figure 123C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern searobin 

in the winter (n = 205). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Small

0

102030

WDP

Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Euphausiids GammaridsM

% Composition

A

Figure 124A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern searob

small size class (n = 335). WDP = well-digested prey.
Medium

05

10152025

Amphipods WDPBivalves Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Decapod Crabs Euphausiids GammaridsIsopods Ophi

% Composition

B

Figure 124B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern searobin 

medium size class (n = 377). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid
Figure 125. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for striped sear

n = 362). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Striped Searobin

0

102030

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Mysid

% Composition

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Scup (Stenotom
Figure 126. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic mac

n = 6,875). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Atlantic Mackerel

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Cephalopods

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Hyperiids

L

% Composition Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Figure 127A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic mackerel (S

in the 1980s (n = 353). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified f

1980s

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Ctenophores

Euphausiids

Hyperii

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Silver Hake (Merl
1990s

0

10203040

WDP

Cephalopods Chaetognaths Copepods Euphausiids Fish Larvae Gammarids Hyperiids LarvaceansMysids 

% Composition

B

Figure 127B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic mackere

in the 1990s (n = 4,120). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidenti
Figure 127C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic mackerel 

in the 2000s (n = 2,130). WDP = well-digested prey. 

2000s

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Euphausiids

Fish Larvae

Gammarids

% Composition

C

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Figure 128A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic macker

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 2,565). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Engraulids

Euphausiids

Hyperiids

Larvacean

L

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Southern New England

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp WDP Cephalopods Copepods Crustacea Shrimp Euphausiids Fish Larvae Gammarids Hyperiids L

% Composition

B

Figure 128B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic macker

in Southern New England (n = 2,554). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 128C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic macker

on Georges Bank (n = 1,144). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = un

Georges Bank

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cephalopods

Chaetognaths

Atlantic Herring

Copepods

Crangon Shrimp

Euphausiids

Fish Larvae

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Larv

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Mer
Gulf of Maine

0

10203040

WDP

Cephalopods Clupeids Copepods Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids Gammarids Hyperiids

% Composition

D

Figure 128D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic mackerel 

in the Gulf of Maine (n = 499). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uni
Figure 129A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic mackerel 

in the fall (n = 960). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fi

Fall

0

102030

Amphipods

WDP

Chaetognaths

Atlantic Herring

Copepods

Crangon Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Silver Hake

Mysid

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 129B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic mackerel 

in the spring (n = 4,057). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentifi

Spring

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Cephalopods

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Hyperiids

L

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Winter

0

1020304050

WDP

Cephalopods Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp Euphausiids Fish Larvae Gammarids Hyperiids Larvacean

% Composition

C

Figure 129C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic mackerel (S

in the winter (n = 1,784). WDP = well-digested prey.
Small

0

1020304050

Ammodytes sp WDP Copepods Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids Fish Larvae Gammarids H

% Composition

A

Figure 130A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic mackere

small size class (n = 1,158). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 130B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic macke

medium size class (n = 4,886). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Medium

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Hyperiids

Larvacean

L

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Figure 130C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic macker

large size class (n = 826). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

Large

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Cephalopods

Atlantic Herring

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Ctenophores

Euphausiids

Gammari

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Butterfish

0

20406080

WDPCopepods Ctenophores GammaridsHyperiids Larvaceans Polychaetes Thecosomates 

% Composition

Figure 131. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for butterfish 

n = 6,098). WDP = well-digested prey. 
1970s

0

1020304050

WDPAscidians Copepods Ctenophores Hydrozoans Hyperiids Larvaceans Loligo Squid Polychae

% Composition

A

Figure 132A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for butterfish (Pepr

in the 1970s (n = 1,750). WDP = well-digested prey.
1980s

0

20406080

100

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans Plankton 

% Composition

B

Figure 132B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for butterfish (Pepr

in the 1980s (n = 287). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentifi
1990s

0

20406080

100

Amphipods WDPCopepods Ctenophores EuphausiidsGammaridsLa

% Composition

C

Figure 132C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for butterfish (Pep

collected in the 1990s (n = 367). WDP = well-digested prey.
2000s

0

20406080

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp CtenophoresGammaridsHyperiids 

% Composition

D

Figure 132D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for butterfish (Pep

in the 2000s (n = 3,694). WDP = well-digested prey.
Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

20406080

WDP

Ctenophores Gammarids Hydrozoans Hyperiids Larvaceans Loligo Squid Polychaetes Thecosom

% Composition

A

Figure 133A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for butterfish (Pep

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 2,988). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 
Southern New England

0

20406080

WDPAscidiansCopepods CtenophoresGammaridsHyperiidsP

% Composition

B

Figure 133B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for butterfish (Pe

in Southern New England (n = 2,174). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Georges Bank

0

20406080

100

WDP

CopepodsCrustaceansCtenophoresEuphausiids My

% Composition

C

Figure 133C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for butterfish (Pepr

on Georges Bank (n = 465). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Fall

0

20406080

WDPCopepods Ctenophores Gammarids Larvaceans Polychaetes Thecosomates S

% Composition

A

Figure 134A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for butterfish (P

in the fall (n = 3,303). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden
Spring

0

20406080

WDPAscidians Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp Ctenophores Hydrozoans Hyperiids LarvaceansMy

% Composition

B

Figure 134B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for butterfish (Pep

in the spring (n = 1,571). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Winter

0

20406080

100

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea ShrimpCrustaceans Ctenophores EuphausiidsH

% Composition

C

Figure 134C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for butterfish (Pep

in the winter (n = 880). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Summer

0

20406080

100

WDP

Cnidarians Copepods Gammarids Larvacean

% Composition

D

Figure 134D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for butterfish (Pep

in the summer (n = 344). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Extra Small

0

20406080

WDP

Copepods

Crustacea Shrimp CtenophoresGammaridsHyperiidsL

% Composition

A

Figure 135A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for butterfish (Pep

in the extra-small size class (n = 1,773). WDP = well-digested prey.
Small

0

20406080

WDPCopepods Ctenophores GammaridsHyperiids Larvaceans Polychaetes Thecosomates 

% Composition

B

Figure 135B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for butterfish (Pep

in the small size class (n = 4,230). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Northern Sand Lance

0

20406080

WDP

Chaetognaths CopepodsGammarids Hyperiids M

% Composition

Figure 136. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern sand 

n = 1,357). WDP = well-digested prey. 
1970s

0

20406080

WDP

Chaetognaths Copepods Gammarids Mysids

% Composition

A

Figure 137A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern sand 

collected in the 1970s (n = 1,021). WDP = well-digested prey. 
1980s

0

20406080

WDP

Chaetognaths CopepodsCrustaceans Hyperiids Ostr

% Composition

B

Figure 137B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern sand lanc

in the 1980s (n = 336). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified 
Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

20406080

WDP

Copepods Larvaceans Mysids 

% Composition

A

Figure 138A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern sand lanc

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 342). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 
Southern New England

0

102030405060

WDP

ChaetognathsCopepodsCrustaceans EuphausiidsGammaridsH

% Composition

B

Figure 138B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern sand lanc

in Southern New England (n = 521). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 
Georges Bank

0

20406080

WDP

Chaetognaths Copepods Hyperiids 

% Composition

C

Figure 138C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern sand lance 

on Georges Bank (n = 424). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Fall

0

20406080

Copepods Crustaceans Gammarids LarvaceansMiscellaneous 

% Composition

A

Figure 139A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern sand lance 

in the fall (n = 207). 
Spring

0

20406080

WDP

Chaetognaths CopepodsGammarids Hyperiids M

% Composition

B

Figure 139B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern sand lanc

in the spring (n = 915). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Summer

0

20406080

100

Chaetognaths Cnidarians Copepods Crustaceans 

% Composition

C

Figure 139C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern sand lanc

in the summer (n = 235). 
Figure 140. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for bluefish (

n = 4,826). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Bluefish

05

101520

Blueback Herring

Ammodytes sp

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Engraulids

Round Herring

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Butterfish

Blu

A

% Composition

Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Bluefish (Pomatomus salta

Atlantic Saury (Scomber

Atlantic Mackerel 
Figure 141A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for bluefish (Pom

in the 1970s (n = 433). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

1970s

0

10203040

Striped Anchovy

Atlantic Menhaden

Cephalopods

Engraulids

Round Herring

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Butter

% Composition

A

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanth
Figure 141B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for bluefish (Poma

in the 1980s (n = 1,575). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

1980s

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

Atlantic Menhaden

Cephalopods

Atlantic Herring

Round Herring

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Butterfish

Blue

A

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Bluefish (Pomatomus salta

Atlantic Saury (Scomb
Figure 141C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for bluefish (Poma

in the 1990s (n = 1,616). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

1990s

0

102030

Blueback Herring

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Engraulids

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver H

% Composition

C

Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis)

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius biline

Butterfish (Peprilu

Bluefish 

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Figure 141D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for bluefish (Poma

in the 2000s (n = 1,202). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

2000s

0

102030

Alewife Bay Anchovy Cephalopods Atlantic Herring Engraulids Round Herring Gadiformes Loligo Squid Ocean Pout Silver Hake Butterfish Winter Flounder Atlantic Mack

% Composition

D

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) Round Herring (Etrumeus teres) Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus) Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis) Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus) Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Winter Flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) Cunner (T

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scom

Scup (Stenot
Figure 142A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for bluefish (Pom

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 2,763). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Mid-Atlantic Bight

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

Atlantic Menhaden

Cephalopods

Weakfish

Engraulids

Round Herring

Loligo Squid

Butterfish

Bluefish

Northern Searobin

Atlantic Ma

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

Northern Searobin (Prionotus carolinus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber sco

Scup (Steno
Figure 142B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for bluefish (Pom

in Southern New England (n = 1,296). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Southern New England

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

Cephalopods

Atlantic Herring

Engraulids

Round Herring

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Butterfi

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanth

Bluefish (Pomato

Scup 
Figure 142C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for bluefish (Pom

on Georges Bank (n = 472). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Georges Bank

0

102030

Blueback Herring

Ammodytes sp

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Butterfish

Atlantic Sau

Atlan

% Composition

C

Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Saury (Scomberesox sauru

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomb

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Figure 143A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for bluefish (Pom

in the fall (n = 4,312). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Fall

05

101520

Blueback Herring

Ammodytes sp

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Engraulids

Round Herring

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Butterfi

% Composition

A

Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis)

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanth

Atlantic Saury (Sc

Bluefish (Pomatomu

S

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)
Figure 143B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for bluefish (Pom

in the spring (n = 237). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Spring

0

10203040

Alewife

Cephalopods

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Menticirrhus sp.

Snake Eels

Butterfish

Northern Searobin

Atlantic Ma

% Composition

B

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Menticirrhus sp

Northern Searobin (Prionotus carolinus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber sco
Figure 144A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for bluefish (Pom

small size class (n = 2,645). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Small

05

101520

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Cephalopods

Engraulids

Round Herring

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Longhorn Sculpin

Butterfish

S

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Scup (S
Figure 144B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for bluefish (Po

medium size class (n = 1,882). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Medium

05

101520

Blueback Herring

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

Atlantic Menhaden

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Engraulids

Round Herring

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Butterfis

% Composition

B

Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis)

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthu

Bluefish (Pomatomu

S

Atlantic Mackerel (S

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)
Figure 144C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for bluefish (Pom

large size class (n = 299). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Large

05

10152025

Ammodytes sp

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Round Herring

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Ocean Pout

Haddock

Silver Hake

Butterfish

Atlan

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Saury (Scombereso
Figure 145. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for weakfis

n = 5,117). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified f

Weakfish

05

10152025

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Cephalopods

Atlantic Herring

Weakfish

Engraulids

Round Herring

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

M

% Composition Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Butterfish (Pepril

Scu
Figure 146A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for weakfish (Cyno

in the 1970s (n = 316). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

1970s

0

102030405060

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

Carangids

Crevalle Jack

Clupeids

Crangon Shrimp

Weakfish

Decapod Crab

Engraulids

Gammarids

Ill

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)
Figure 146B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for weakfish (Cy

in the 1980s (n = 739). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

1980s

0

1020304050

Ammodytes sp

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Atlantic Menhaden

Cephalopods

Crustacea Shrimp

Engraulids

Loligo Squid

Pandalids

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Butterfish (Peprilus tr
Figure 146C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for weakfish (Cy

in the 1990s (n = 2,575). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid

1990s

0

102030

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Atlantic Herring

Engraulids

Round Herring

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Mysids

% Composition

C

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Butterfish (Peprilus t

Scup 
Figure 146D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for weakfish (Cy

in the 2000s (n = 1,487). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid

2000s

0

102030

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Weakfish

Engraulids

Round Herring

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Mysids

Butterfish

Sciaeni

% Composition

D

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Scup (Stenotom
Figure 147A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for weakfish (Cy

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 4,014). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

102030

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Cephalopods

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Weakfish

Engraulids

Round Herring

Gadiformes

Loligo Squid

Mysids

Bu

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triac

Sc
Figure 147B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for weakfish (Cy

in Southern New England (n = 740). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Southern New England

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

Cephalopods

Weakfish

Engraulids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

Scup (Stenotomus c
Figure 148A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for weakfish (

in the fall (n = 4,433). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unid

Fall

05

10152025

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Cephalopods

Weakfish

Engraulids

Round Herring

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

M

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

Butterfish (Pepril

S
Figure 148B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for weakfish (Cy

in the spring (n = 532). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

Spring

0

102030405060

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Crustaceans

Engraulids

Spot

Scia

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)
Figure 149A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for weakfish (C

small size class (n = 2,925). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Small

05

10152025

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Engraulids

Round Herring

Euphausiids

Gammarids

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)
Figure 149B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for weakfish (C

medium size class (n = 1,989). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

Medium

05

101520

Striped Anchovy

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Cephalopods

Atlantic Herring

Weakfish

Engraulids

Round Herring

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Mysids

Butte

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacan

Scu
Figure 149C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for weakfish 

large size class (n = 203). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Large

0

1020304050

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

Atlantic Herring

Engraulids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandalids

Northern Searobi

% Composition

C

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Scup (Stenotom

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Northern Searobin (Prionotus carolinu
Figure 150. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for striped b

n = 1,089). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Striped Bass

0

102030

Alewife

Bay Anchovy

Bivalves

Atlantic Menhaden

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Engraulids

Gammarids

Atlantic M

% Composition

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber sco
Figure 151A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for striped bass (M

in the 1990s (n = 261). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unident

1990s

0

1020304050

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Atlantic Menhaden

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Engraulids

Round Herring

Gammarids

Sc

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)
Figure 151B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for striped bass (M

in the 2000s (n = 811). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

2000s

0

10203040

Alewife

Bay Anchovy

Bivalves

Atlantic Menhaden

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Engraulids

Gammarids

Is

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Mackerel (S
Figure 152A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for striped bass (M

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 764). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

1020304050

Blueback Herring

Alewife

Bay Anchovy

Atlantic Menhaden

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Engraulids

Isopods

Atlantic M

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber s

Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis)
Figure 152B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for striped bass (M

in Southern New England (n = 220). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Southern New England

0

10203040

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Atlantic Herring

Round Herring

Gammarids

Gastropods

Loligo Squid

Butterfish

Northern S

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Northern Searobin (Prionotus ca

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)
Figure 153A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for striped bass (M

in the fall (n = 243). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentifie

Fall

0

102030405060

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Round Herring

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Butte

N

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Northern Searobin (Pri

Butterfish (Peprilus triacan
Figure 153B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for striped bass (M

in the spring (n = 772). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Spring

0

1020304050

Bay Anchovy

Bivalves

Atlantic Menhaden

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Engraulids

Isopods

Atlantic Mack

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scomb
Figure 154A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for striped bass 

medium size class (n = 604). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Medium

0

102030

Blueback Herring

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Atlantic Menhaden

Atlantic Herring

Crangon Shrimp

Engraulids

Gammarids

Isopods

Polychaetes

Scia

Atl

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scom
Figure 154B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for striped bass 

large size class (n = 435). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Large

0

10203040

Alewife

Bay Anchovy

Atlantic Menhaden

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Gammarids

Atlantic 

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber 
Figure 155. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic croak

n = 924). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Atlantic Croaker

0

102030

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Molluscs

Pol

% Composition

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Figure 156A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic croaker (Mic

in the 1970s (n = 205). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fi

1970s

0

1020304050

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crustaceans

Decapods

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Hemichordates

Mollusc

P

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Figure 156B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic croaker (Mic

in the 2000s (n = 518). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fi

2000s

0

102030

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Moll

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Figure 157A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic croaker (M

small size class (n = 555). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentifi

Small

0

102030

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Cephalopods

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Gammarids

Hemichordates

Molluscs

Mysids

P

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Figure 157B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic croaker (M

medium size class (n = 368). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

Medium

0

10203040

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Loligo Squid

Molluscs

Polychaete

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Figure 158. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spot (L

n = 1,156). WDP = well-digested prey. 

Spot

0

20406080

Amphipods

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Crangon Shrimp

Gammarids

% Composition

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
1970s

0

20406080

100

WDP Bivalves Copepods

Crangon ShrimpGammarids Miscell

% Composition

A

Figure 159A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spot (Leiosto

in the 1970s (n = 296). WDP = well-digested prey. 
2000s

0

20406080

100

Amphipods WDPFish LarvaeGammarids Hyperiids M

% Composition

B

Figure 159B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spot (Leiost

in the 2000s (n = 600). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 160A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spot (Leiosto

in the fall (n = 790). WDP = well-digested prey.

Fall

0

20406080

Amphipods

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Crangon Shrimp

Fish Larvae

Gammarids

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Spring

0

20406080

100

WDP

Crangon Shrimp Cumaceans Molluscs Polychaetes

% Composition

B

Figure 160B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for spot (Leiostom

in the spring (n = 205). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 161. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for scup (S

n = 3,886). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified 

Scup

0

10203040

Bay Anchovy Anthozoans WDPBivalves Cancer Crabs Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Gammarids Molluscs Oph

% Composition

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
1970s

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp Anthozoans WDP Cancer Crabs Cephalopods Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Gammarids Illex Squid Miscella

% Composition

A

Figure 162A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for scup (Stenotom

in the 1970s (n = 1,078). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide
1980s

0

102030405060

Amphipods WDPBivalves Caprellids

Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Decapods Decapod Crabs Fish Larvae M

% Composition

B

Figure 162B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for scup (Stenot

in the 1980s (n = 429). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 162C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for scup (Stenoto

in the 2000s (n = 2,207). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

2000s

0

10203040

Bay Anchovy Anthozoans WDPBivalves Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Engraulids Gammarids Molluscs Ophi

% Composition

C

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

1020304050

Anthozoans WDPBivalves Cephalopods

Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Gammarids MolluscsS

% Composition

A

Figure 163A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for scup (Stenot

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 2,039). WDP = well-digested prey; Uni
Figure 163B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for scup (Stenot

in Southern New England (n = 1,499). WDP = well-digested prey. 

Southern New England

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Gammarids

M

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Figure 164A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for scup (Steno

in the fall (n = 2,575). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

Fall

0

10203040

Bay Anchovy Anthozoans WDPBivalves Cancer Crabs Cephalopods Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Gammarids M

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Spring

0

1020304050

Anthozoans WDP Caprellids Crustaceans Decapods Decapod Crabs Fish Larvae Gammarids Miscellaneous O

% Composition

B

Figure 164B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for scup (Stenot

in the spring (n = 707). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Winter

0

10203040

Amphipods WDP Ascidians Bivalves Copepods Euphausiids Gammarids GastropodsIsopods Oph

% Composition

C

Figure 164C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for scup (Stenot

in the winter (n = 521). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Small

0

10203040

Amphipods Anthozoans WDPBivalves Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Fish Larvae Gammarids MolluscsM

% Composition

A

Figure 165A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for scup (Stenoto

small size class (n = 3,159). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = un
Figure 165B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for scup (Steno

medium size class (n = 727). WDP = well-digested prey. 

Medium

0

102030

Sand Lance

Bay Anchovy

Anthozoans

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Gammarids

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Ammodytes sp
Figure 166. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for black sea ba

n = 2,400). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish

Black Sea Bass

0

102030

Striped Anchovy

Anthozoans

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Gastropods

Loligo Squid

Molluscs

But

% Composition

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Butterfish (Peprilus triaca

Northern Searobin (
Figure 167A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for black sea ba

collected in the 1970s (n = 478). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

1970s

0

1020304050

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

Anthozoans

Sea Mouse

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapods

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gammarids

% Composition

A

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Scup (
Figure 167B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for black sea bass (C

in the 1980s (n = 347). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentifie

1980s

0

1020304050

Striped Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Decapod Crabs

Gastropods

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Myctophids

Paguri

% Composition

B

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)

Scu
Figure 167C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for black sea bass (C

in the 2000s (n = 1,481). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentif

2000s

0

102030

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crustaceans

Decapod Crab

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Gastropods

Loligo Squid

Molluscs

Butt

% Composition

C

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacan

Northern Searob
Figure 168A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for black sea bass (C

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 1,704). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fi

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

102030

Anthozoans

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gastropods

Loligo Squid

Moll

% Composition

A

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Scu
Figure 168B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for black sea bass (

in Southern New England (n = 448). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fi

Southern New England

0

10203040

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Bryozoans

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crab

Round Herring

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Gastropods

Loligo Squid

Mol

% Composition

B

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Butterfish (Pepril

Northern Searo

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)
Figure 169A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for black sea bass (C

in the fall (n = 926). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified 

Fall

0

10203040

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Round Herring

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Gastropods

Hippocampus sp

Loligo Squid

Molluscs

But

% Composition

A

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Butterfish (Peprilus triac

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Northern Searo
Figure 169B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for black sea bass (C

in the spring (n = 657). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentifi

Spring

0

102030

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gastropods

Illex Squid

Myctophid

% Composition

B

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Scup 
Figure 169C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for black sea bass (Ce

in the winter (n = 666). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentifie

Winter

0

102030

Anthozoans

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Gastropods

Loligo Squid

Octopods

P

% Composition

C

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Figure 170A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for black sea bass 

small size class (n = 1,372). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uni

Small

0

102030

Striped Anchovy

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crustaceans

Decapods

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Gastropo

% Composition

A

Striped Anchovy (Anchoa hepsetus)
Figure 170B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for black sea bass 

in the medium size class (n = 1,002). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Medium

0

10203040

Anthozoans

Sea Mouse

WDP

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Round Herring

Gammarids

Gastropods

Loligo Squid

Molluscs

B

% Composition

B

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Butterfish (Peprilus tria

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

S
Figure 171. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for ocean pou

n = 3,478). WDP = well-digested prey. 

Ocean Pout

0

102030405060

Sea Mouse

WDP

Asteroids

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Echinoids

Gammarids

Ophiu

% Composition

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Sea Stars
Figure 172A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for ocean pout (

collected in the 1970s (n = 459). WDP = well-digested prey. 

1970s

0

20406080

100

Sea Mouse

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Echinoids

Echinoderms

Gammarids

Miscellaneous

% Composition

A

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Figure 172B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for ocean pout (Zo

in the 1990s (n = 627). WDP = well-digested prey. 

B 1990s

0

1020304050

WDP

Asteroids

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Echinoids

Gammarids

Gastropod

% Composition

Sea Stars
Figure 172C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for ocean pout (Zo

in the 2000s (n = 2,222). WDP = well-digested prey.

C 2000s

0

1020304050

Sea Mouse

WDP

Asteroids

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Echinoids

Gammarid

% Composition

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Sea Stars
Figure 173A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for ocean pout (Zo

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 238). 

A Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

1020304050

Amphipods

Asteroids

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Echinoids

% Composition

Sea Stars
Figure 173B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for ocean pout (Zo

in Southern New England (n = 1,652). WDP = well-digested prey. 

B Southern New England

0

102030405060

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Asteroids

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Echinoids

Echinod

% Composition Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Sea Stars
Figure 173C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for ocean pout (Zoa

on Georges Bank (n = 972). WDP = well-digested prey. 

C Georges Bank

0

102030405060

WDP

Asteroids

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Echinoids

Gammarids

% Composition

Sea Stars
Figure 173D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for ocean pout (Zoa

in the Gulf of Maine (n = 495). WDP = well-digested prey. 

D Gulf of Maine

0

10203040

Sea Mouse

WDP

Asteroids

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Echinoids

Gammarids

Gastropods

Ophiu

% Composition

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Sea Stars
Figure 174A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for ocean pout (Zo

in the fall (n = 612). WDP = well-digested prey. 

A Fall

0

102030

Sea Mouse

WDP

Asteroids

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Echinoids

Gammarids

Gastropods

Miscellaneous

O

% Composition

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Sea Stars
Figure 174B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for ocean pout (Zoa

in the spring (n = 1,958). WDP = well-digested prey. 

B Spring

0

1020304050

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Asteroids

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Echinoids

Echinoderms

Gammarids

O

% Composition

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Sea Stars
Figure 174C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for ocean pout (Zo

in the winter (n = 857). WDP = well-digested prey. 

C Winter

0

102030405060

Sea Mouse

WDP

Asteroids

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Ech

% Composition

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Sea Stars
Figure 175A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for ocean pout (Z

small size class (n = 543). WDP = well-digested prey. 

A Small

0

10203040

Amphipods

WDP

Asteroids

Bivalves

Caprellids

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Echinoids

Gammarids

% Composition

Sea Stars
Figure 175B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for ocean pout (Z

medium size class (n = 2,270). WDP = well-digested prey.

B Medium

0

10203040

Amphipods

Sea Mouse

WDP

Asteroids

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Echinoids

Echinoderms

Gammarids

O

% Composition Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Sea Stars
Figure 175C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for ocean pout (Z

large size class (n = 665). WDP = well-digested prey.

C Large

0

102030405060

Sea Mouse

WDP

Asteroids

Bivalves

Cancer Crabs

Decapod Crabs

Echinoids

Gammarid

% Composition

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)

Sea Stars
Figure 176. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic halibut (H

n = 447). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish.

Atlantic Halibut

0

1020304050

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Atlantic Herring

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Gadiformes

Atlantic Cod

Illex Squid

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Longhorn Sculpin

Pagurids

% Composition

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Ocean Pout (Macrozoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)
Figure 177A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic halibut 

collected in the fall (n = 214). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish.

Fall

0

102030

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Atlantic Herring

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Fourbeard Rockling

Gadiformes

Witch Flounder

Illex Squid

Octopod

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Fourbeard Rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

Witch Flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus)
Figure 177B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Atlantic halibut 

collected in the spring (n = 201). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Spring

0

20406080

Cancer Crabs

Crustacea Shrimp

Wrymouth

Decapod Crabs

Atlantic Cod

Ocean Pout

Silver Hake

Longhorn Sculpin

Octopods

P

% Composition

B

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus)

Ocean Pout (Macrozoarces americanus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Longhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus)

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)
Figure 178. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for summer flound

n = 17,387). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Summer Flounder

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Round Herring

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Butterfish

Atlantic Ma

% Composition

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus )

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scom

Scup (Stenot
1970s

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp Cephalopods ClupeidsIllex Squid Longfin Squid Mysids

% Composition

A

Figure 179A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for summer floun

collected in the 1970s (n = 517). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 
Figure 179B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for summer flounder 

collected in the 1980s (n = 1,334). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

1980s

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Cephalopods

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Round Herring

Spot

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Butterfi

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthu

Scup (Stenotom

Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)
Figure 179C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for summer flounder (P

in the 1990s (n = 8,889). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentifie

1990s

0

102030

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Round Herring

Loligo Squid

Mysids

Butterfish

Scombrids

Atlantic Mackerel

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus )

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Scup (Stenotomus ch

Red 
Figure 179D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for summer flounder (P

in the 2000s (n = 6,647). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

2000s

0

102030

Cephalopods

Atlantic Herring

Round Herring

Gadiformes

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Butterfish

Scombrids

Atlantic Mackerel

% Composition

D

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Scup (Stenotomus ch
Figure 180A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for summer flounder (P

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 10,377). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Round Herring

Gadiformes

Loligo Squid

Cusk-eels

Butterfish

Atlantic M

% Composition

A

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber sc

Scup (Steno
Figure 180B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for summer flounder (

in Southern New England (n = 6,080). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Southern New England

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Round Herring

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Butterfish

Scombrids

Atlantic Mackerel

Sc

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Scup (Stenotomus chryso

Red H

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 180C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for summer flounder (P

on Georges Bank (n = 664). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Georges Bank

0

1020304050

Ammodytes sp

Cephalopods

Decapod Crabs

Round Herring

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Windowpane

Atlantic Mackerel

% Composition

C

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Scup (Stenotomus ch

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)
Figure 181A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for summer flounder (P

in the fall (n = 5,626). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fi

Fall

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Weakfish

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Round Herring

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Mysids

Butterfish

Sco

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus )

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

Scup (Steno

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)
Figure 181B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for summer flounder (P

in the spring (n = 3,322). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Spring

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Butterfish

Scombrids

Atlantic Mackerel

Scup

U

% Composition

B

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Scup (Stenotomus chrysops)

Red H

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 181C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for summer flounder (P

in the winter (n = 8,328). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 

Winter

0

10203040

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Gadiformes

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Butterfish

Scombrids

Atlantic Mackerel

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Scup (Stenotomus ch
Figure 182A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for summer flounder (

small size class (n = 589). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish.

Small

0

10203040

WDP

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Round Herring

Loligo Squid

Mysids

Butte

% Composition

A

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanth

S

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)
Figure 182B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for summer flounde

medium size class (n = 9,850). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = un

Medium

05

10152025

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Decapod Crabs

Engraulids

Round Herring

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Mysids

Butterfish

% Composition

B

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus )

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)

Scup (Stenotomus ch

R

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)
Figure 182C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for summer flounder 

large size class (n = 6,867). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish.

Large

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Cephalopods

Clupeids

Atlantic Herring

Round Herring

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Butterfish

Scombrids

Atlantic Mackerel

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)

Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Scup (Stenotomus 

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus )

Round Herring (Etrumeus teres)
Figure 183. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flound

n = 16,689). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish.

Fourspot Flounder

05

10152025

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

S

% Composition

Silver Hake (Merlucciu
Figure 184A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flounder (H

in the 1970s (n = 489). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fi

1970s

0

102030405060

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Atlantic Cod

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Mysids

% Composition

A

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 184B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flounder (H

in the 1980s (n = 1,569). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified 

1980s

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Sil

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius b
Figure 184C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flounder (H

in the 1990s (n = 9,527). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified 

1990s

05

101520

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

P

% Composition

C

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (
Figure 184D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flounder (H

in the 2000s (n = 5,104). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified 

2000s

0

10203040

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Gulf Stream Flounder

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gadiformes

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Sil

% Composition

D

Silver Hake (Merluccius b

Gulf Stream Flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons)
Figure 185A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flounder (H

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 5,171). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Illex Squid

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

S

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merlucciu

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)
Figure 185B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flounder (H

in Southern New England (n = 7,493). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

Southern New England

0

102030

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pandal

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Pep
Figure 185C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flounder (H

on Georges Bank (n = 3,339). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden

Georges Bank

05

1015

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

% Composition

C

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis
Figure 185D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flounder (H

in the Gulf of Maine (n = 665). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide

Gulf of Maine

05

10152025

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Snake Blenny

Silver Hake

Octopod

% Composition

D

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Rock Gu

Snake Blenny (Lumpenus lampretaeformis)
Figure 186A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flounder (Hip

in the fall (n = 6,302). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish

Fall

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Pa

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Butterfish (Pe
Figure 186B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flounder (H

in the spring (n = 5,065). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified 

Spring

0

102030

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 186C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flounder (H

in the winter (n = 5,095). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentifie

Winter

0

10203040

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Fawn Cusk-eel

Loligo Squid

Silver H

% Composition

C

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilin

Fawn Cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum)
Figure 186D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flounder (H

in the summer (n = 227). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified 

Summer

0

10203040

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Atlantic Cod

Gammarids

Isopods

Loligo Squid

Snake Blenny

% Composition

D

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Snake Blenny (Lumpenus lampretaeformis)
Figure 187A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flounder (H

in the small size class (n = 2,072). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = un

Small

0

10203040

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Gammarids

Loligo Squid

Silver Hake

Mysids

O

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 187B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for fourspot flounder 

in the medium size class (n = 14,441). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis

Medium

05

10152025

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Cephalopods

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Crabs

Euphausiids

Illex Squid

Loligo Squid

Si

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius 
Yellowtail Flounder

0

1020304050

AmphipodsAnthozoans WDP BivalvesGammarids Miscellaneous 

% Composition

Figure 188. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flou

n = 7,052). WDP = well-digested prey. 
1970s

0

1020304050

Anthozoans WDP Bivalves

Crangon ShrimpGammarids Miscel

% Composition

A

Figure 189A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flound

in the 1970s (n = 1,049). WDP = well-digested prey.
1980s

0

102030405060

Ammodytes sp Amphipods Anthozoans WDPBivalves Decapod Shrimp Gammarids 

% Composition

B

Figure 189B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flounder 

in the 1980s (n = 864). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 189C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flounder 

in the 1990s (n = 952). WDP = well-digested prey. 

1990s

0

10203040

Amphipods

Anthozoans

WDP

Caprellids

Atlantic Herring

Fish Eggs

Gammarids

Isopod

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
2000s

0

10203040

Amphipods Anthozoans WDPBivalves

Crangon Shrimp Gammarids MiscellaneousMysids

% Composition

D

Figure 189D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flounder 

in the 2000s (n = 4,187). WDP = well-digested prey.
Southern New England

0

102030405060

Amphipods WDPBivalves

Crangon Shrimp Decapod Shrimp Euphausiids Gammarids 

% Composition

A

Figure 190A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flounder 

in Southern New England (n = 2,421). WDP = well-digested prey.
Georges Bank

0

102030

Ammodytes sp Amphipods Anthozoans WDPBivalves Crangon Shrimp Gammarids MiscellaneousMysid

% Composition

B

Figure 190B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flounder (L

on Georges Bank (n = 3,337). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Gulf of Maine

0

10203040

Amphipods WDP Ascidians CopepodsGammarids Miscella

% Composition

C

Figure 190C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flounder 

in the Gulf of Maine (n = 959). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Fall

0

102030

Ammodytes sp AmphipodsWDP Cancer Crabs Copepods Crangon Shrimp Decapod Crabs Fish Eggs GammaridsIsopods Miscel

% Composition

A

Figure 191A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flounder (

in the fall (n = 2,339). WDP = well-digested prey.
Spring

0

1020304050

Amphipods Anthozoans WDPBivalves

Crangon Shrimp Gammarids Miscellaneous 

% Composition

B

Figure 191B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flounder 

in the spring (n = 3,202). WDP = well-digested prey.
Winter

0

102030405060

Ammodytes spAmphipods WDP Bivalves Crangon ShrimpGammarids P

% Composition

C

Figure 191C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flounder 

in the winter (n = 904). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Summer

0

1020304050

Amphipods Anthozoans WDPBivalvesEchinoids Gammarids Miscellaneous

% Composition

D

Figure 191D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flounder 

in the summer (n = 607). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Small

0

102030

Amphipods WDP

Crangon Shrimp Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Decapod Shrimp Fish Eggs GammaridsMy

% Composition

A

Figure 192A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flounder 

small size class (n = 383). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Medium

0

10203040

Amphipods Anthozoans WDPBivalves

Crangon Shrimp Gammarids Miscellaneous 

% Composition

B

Figure 192B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flounde

medium size class (n = 5,814). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Figure 192C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for yellowtail flound

large size class (n = 855). WDP = well-digested prey. 

Large

0

10203040

Amphipods

Anthozoans

WDP

Bivalves

Atlantic Herring

Gammarids

Miscellaneous

% Composition

C

Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)
Winter Flounder

0

1020304050

AmphipodsAnthozoans WDP BivalvesGammaridsHydrozoans Misce

% Composition

Figure 193. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (P

n = 9,278). WDP = well-digested prey. 
1970s

0

1020304050

Anthozoans WDPGammaridsHydrozoans Miscellaneous Moll

% Composition

A

Figure 194A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (Ps

collected in the 1970s (n = 1,229). WDP = well-digested prey. 
1980s

0

102030405060

Amphipods Anthozoans WDPBivalvesBryozoans Gammarids Hydrozoans 

% Composition

B

Figure 194B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (P

collected in the 1980s (n = 1,395). WDP = well-digested prey. 
1990s

0

10203040

Amphipods Anthozoans WDPBivalvesCaprellidsFish Eggs Gammarids M

% Composition

C

Figure 194C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (P

collected in the 1990s (n = 848). WDP = well-digested prey. 
2000s

0

10203040

Anthozoans WDP BivalvesGammarids Hydrozoans MolluscsO

% Composition

D

Figure 194D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (Ps

collected in the 2000s (n = 5,806). WDP = well-digested prey.
Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

10203040506070

Anthozoans WDP Bivalves CtenophoresGammaridsHydrozoans 

% Composition

A

Figure 195A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (P

collected in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 676). WDP = well-digested prey.
Southern New England

0

102030405060

AmphipodsAnthozoans WDP BivalvesGammaridsGastropods Hy

% Composition

B

Figure 195B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (Ps

collected in Southern New England (n = 3,568). WDP = well-digested prey.
Georges Bank

0

102030

Amphipods Anthozoans WDPBivalves Bryozoans Fish Eggs Gammarids Hydrozoans Miscellane

% Composition

C

Figure 195C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (Pse

collected on Georges Bank (n = 2,499). WDP = well-digested prey.
Gulf of Maine

0

1020304050

Anthozoans WDPAscidiansBivalves Cephalopods Gammarids Hydrozoans 

% Composition

D

Figure 195D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (P

collected in the Gulf of Maine (n = 1,805). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Scotian Shelf

0

1020304050

AmphipodsAnthozoans WDP BivalvesGammaridsHydrozoans 

% Composition

E

Figure 195E. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (Ps

collected on the Scotian Shelf (n = 730). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Fall

0

10203040

Anthozoans WDPBivalves Bryozoans Cancer Crabs Fish Eggs Gammarids Hydrozoans Miscellane

% Composition

A

Figure 196A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (P

collected in the fall (n = 3,308). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Spring

0

1020304050

AmphipodsAnthozoans WDP BivalvesGammaridsHydro

% Composition

B

Figure 196B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (Ps

collected in the spring (n = 4,919). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Winter

0

20406080

Amphipods Anthozoans WDPArthropodsBivalves Crustaceans Gammarids

% Composition

C

Figure 196C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (P

collected in the winter (n = 474). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Summer

0

1020304050

Anthozoans WDPBivalves Gammarids Gastropods Hydrozoans Miscellaneous

% Composition

D

Figure 196D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (P

collected in the summer (n = 577). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Small

0

102030405060

AmphipodsAnthozoans WDP Bivalves

Crustacea ShrimpGammarids H

% Composition

A

Figure 197A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (P

in the small size class (n = 1,011). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Medium

0

1020304050

AmphipodsAnthozoans WDP BivalvesGammaridsHydro

% Composition

B

Figure 197B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (Ps

in the medium size class (n = 6,681). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Large

0

102030

Anthozoans WDPBivalves BryozoansFish Eggs Gammarids Hydrozoans Miscellaneou

% Composition

C

Figure 197C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for winter flounder (Ps

in the large size class (n = 1,405). WDP = well-digested prey. 
Witch Flounder

0

20406080

Anthozoans WDP BivalvesGammaridsHolothuroids Is

% Composition

Figure 198. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder 

n = 5,031). WDP = well-digested prey. 
1970s

0

20406080

WDP Ascidians BivalvesEuphausiidsGammaridsHolothu

% Composition

A

Figure 199A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder (

collected in the 1970s (n = 829). WDP = well-digested prey.
1990s

0

20406080

Anthozoans WDP Bivalves GammaridsMiscellaneous 

% Composition

BFigure 199B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder (

collected in the 1990s (n = 411). WDP = well-digested prey.
2000s

0

20406080

Anthozoans WDP Bivalves GammaridsMiscellaneous 

% Composition

CFigure 199C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder (

collected in the 2000s (n = 3,693). WDP = well-digested prey.
Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

20406080

Anthozoans WDP Gammarids Miscellaneous 

% Composition

AFigure 200A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder (

collected in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 646). WDP = well-digested prey.
Southern New England

0

20406080

100

WDP

Gammarids IsopodsMiscellaneous Ophiuroid

% Composition

B

Figure 200B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder (G

collected in Southern New England (n = 611). WDP = well-digested prey.
Figure 200C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder (G

collected on Georges Bank (n = 422). WDP = well-digested prey.

Georges Bank

0

20406080

100

Anthozoans

Sea Mouse

WDP

Gammarids

Molluscs

Pand

% Composition

C

Sea Mouse (Aphrodita hastata)
Gulf of Maine

0

20406080

WDP Bivalves

Holothuroids IsopodsMiscellaneou

% Composition

D

Figure 200D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder (

collected in the Gulf of Maine (n = 2,671). WDP = well-digested prey.
Scotian Shelf

0

10203040506070

Anthozoans WDPBivalves Cnidarians Euphausiids Gammarids HolothuroidsIsopod

% Composition

E

Figure 200E. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder (G

collected on the Scotian Shelf (n = 668). WDP = well-digested prey.
Fall

0

20406080

WDP Bivalves

Crustacea ShrimpEuphausiidsGammarids Miscellan

% Composition

A

Figure 201A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder (G

collected in the fall (n = 1,628). WDP = well-digested prey.
Spring

0

20406080

Anthozoans WDP BivalvesGammarids Holothuroids Isopods 

% Composition

B

Figure 201B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder (

collected in the spring (n = 2,126). WDP = well-digested prey.
Winter

0

20406080

100

WDP

Gammarids GastropodsMiscellaneous Ophiuroids 

% Composition

C

Figure 201C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder (

collected in the winter (n = 1,077). WDP = well-digested prey.
Summer

0

20406080

Anthozoans WDP Gammarids Gastropods Isopods 

% Composition

D

Figure 201D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder (

collected in the summer (n = 200). WDP = well-digested prey.
A

Figure 202A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder (G

in the small size class (n = 274). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Small

0

20406080

Anthozoans WDP BivalvesEuphausiidsGammaridsPolych

% Composition
Medium

0

20406080

Anthozoans WDP Bivalves Euphausiids Gammarid

% Composition

B

Figure 202B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder 

in the medium size class (n = 3,377). WDP = well-digested prey.
Large

0

20406080

Anthozoans WDPBivalves Gammarids Holothuroids Isopods Miscellaneous

% Composition

C

Figure 202C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for witch flounder (

in the large size class (n = 1,380). WDP = well-digested prey.
Gulf Stream Flounder

0

10203040

Amphipods WDP

Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids GammaridsHyperiid

% Composition

Figure 203. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Gulf Stream floun

n = 996). WDP = well-digested prey.
Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

102030405060

Amphipods WDP Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids Gammarids Hyperiids

% Composition

A

Figure 204A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Gulf Stream flou

collected in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 269). WDP = well-digested prey.
Southern New England

0

10203040

WDP

Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids Gammarids Isopods 

% Composition

B

Figure 204B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Gulf Stream flou

collected in Southern New England (n = 543). WDP = well-digested prey.
Fall

0

1020304050

Amphipods WDP

Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids GammaridsHyperiid

% Composition

A

Figure 205A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Gulf Stream flou

collected in the fall (n = 450). WDP = well-digested prey.
Spring

0

10203040

WDPCaprellids

Crangon Shrimp Crustaceans Gammarids Isopods Ophiuroids 

% Composition

B

Figure 205B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Gulf Stream floun

collected in the spring (n = 265). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u
Winter

0

102030405060

WDP

Cancer Crabs Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Euphausiids Gammarids Isopods 

% Composition

C

Figure 205C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for Gulf Stream floun

collected in the winter (n = 232). WDP = well-digested prey.
Figure 206. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane flou

n = 14,599). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish.

Windowpane Flounder

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Larvaceans

Silver Hake

Mysid

% Composition

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 207A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane flou

collected in the 1970s (n = 830). Unid. Fish = unidentified fish.

1970s

0

1020304050

Ammodytes sp

Crangon Shrimp

Engraulids

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Mysids

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 207B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane flou

collected in the 1980s (n = 1,745). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

1980s

0

1020304050

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

% Composition

B

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Figure 207C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane f

collected in the 1990s (n = 7,556). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis

1990s

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Fish Larvae

Gammarids

Larvaceans

Silver Hake

Mysi

% Composition

C

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 207D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane flo

collected in the 2000s (n = 4,468). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

2000s

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Smallmouth Flounder

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Hyperiids

M

% Composition

D

Smallmouth Flounder (Etropus microstomus)
Figure 208A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane flou

collected in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 4,814). WDP = well-digested prey

Mid-Atlantic Bight

05

10152025

Ammodytes sp

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Cancer Crabs

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Engraulids

Smallmouth Flounder

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Mysi

% Composition

A

Smallmouth Flounder (Etropus microstomus)

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Figure 208B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane flou

collected in Southern New England (n = 4,820). WDP = well-digested prey

Southern New England

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Decapod Shrimp

Euphausiids

Fish Larvae

Gammarids

Silver Hake

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 208C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane flo

collected on Georges Bank (n = 4,416). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Georges Bank

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Larvaceans

Silver Hake

Mysids

% Composition

C

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Gulf of Maine

0

1020304050

Amphipods WDP

Crangon Shrimp Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids Fish Larvae GammaridsM

% Composition

D

Figure 208D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane flo

collected in the Gulf of Maine (n = 533). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid
Figure 209A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane flou

collected in the fall (n = 5,244). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = u

Fall

0

102030

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

WDP

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Larvaceans

Silver Hake

Mysids

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 209B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane flou

collected in the spring (n = 5,361). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Spring

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Smallmouth Flounder

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Mysid

% Composition

B

Smallmouth Flounder (Etropus microstomus)

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Figure 209C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane flou

collected in the winter (n = 3,635). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 

Winter

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

WDP

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Ctenophores

Euphausiids

Fish Larvae

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Mysid

% Composition

C

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Summer

0

1020304050

Ammodytes sp Amphipods WDP Crangon Shrimp Euphausiids Gammarids Mysids

% Composition

D

Figure 209D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane flo

collected in the summer (n = 359). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 
Figure 210A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane flou

in the small size class (n = 2,267). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 

Small

0

102030

Amphipods

WDP

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Larvaceans

Mysids

Pa

% Composition

A
Figure 210B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for windowpane flo

in the medium size class (n = 12,320). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

Medium

05

101520

Ammodytes sp

Amphipods

Bay Anchovy

WDP

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gadiformes

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Mysi

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
American Plaice

0

102030405060

WDPSea StarsBivalves

Crustacea ShrimpEchinoids Euphausiids Miscellaneous Ophiuroids

% Composition

Figure 211. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American plaice (

n = 7,199). WDP = well-digested prey.
1970s

0

102030405060

WDPBivalvesEchinoids Echinoderms Euphausiids Miscellaneous OphiuroidsPagurids

% Composition

A

Figure 212A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American plaice (

collected in the 1970s (n = 1,511). WDP = well-digested prey.
1980s

0

20406080

100

WDP Bivalves

Crustacea ShrimpEchinoids EchinodermsOphiuroids 

% Composition

B

Figure 212B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American plaice (

collected in the 1980s (n = 281). WDP = well-digested prey.
1990s

0

102030405060

WDP Sea Stars Bivalves EchinoidsGammaridsOphi

% Composition

C

Figure 212C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American plaice 

collected in the 1990s (n = 615). WDP = well-digested prey.
2000s

0

102030405060

WDPSea StarsBivalves

Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crab Echinoids Gammarids Miscellaneous Ophiuro

% Composition

D

Figure 212D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American plaice (

collected in the 2000s (n = 4,792). WDP = well-digested prey.
Georges Bank

0

102030405060

Anthozoans WDPSea Stars

Crustacea Shrimp Decapod Crabs Echinoids Gammarids Miscellaneous Ophiu

% Composition

A

Figure 213A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American plaice 

collected on Georges Bank (n = 1,007). WDP = well-digested prey.
Gulf of Maine

0

10203040506070

WDP Bivalves

Crustacea Shrimp Echinoderms MiscellaneousOphiuroids

% Composition

B

Figure 213B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American plaice 

collected in the Gulf of Maine (n = 5,173). WDP = well-digested prey.
Scotian Shelf

0

102030405060

WDPBivalves Crustacea Shrimp Echinoids Euphausiids Miscellaneous OphiuroidsPagurids Panda

% Composition

C

Figure 213C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American plaice 

collected on the Scotian Shelf (n = 1,001). WDP = well-digested prey.
Figure 214A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American plaice 

collected in the fall (n = 3,153). WDP = well-digested prey.

Fall

0

20406080

WDP

Bivalves

Crustacea Shrimp

Echinoids

Euphausiids

Silver Hake

Miscellaneous

Ophiuroid

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Spring

0

204060

WDPSea StarsBivalves

Crustacea ShrimpEchinoids Gammarids Miscellaneous Ophiuroid

% Composition

B

Figure 214B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American plaice 

collected in the spring (n = 3,685). WDP = well-digested prey.
Summer

0

204060

WDPSea StarsBivalvesEchinoids

Echinoderms Gammarids Miscellaneous Ophiuroid

% Composition

C

Figure 214C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American plaice 

collected in the summer (n = 294). WDP = well-digested prey.
Figure 215A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American plaice (H

in the small size class (n = 1,362). WDP = well-digested prey.

Small

0

1020304050

WDP

Bivalves

Crangon Shrimp

Crustacea Shrimp

Euphausiids

Gammarids

Silver Hake

Miscellaneous

Ophiuroid

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Medium

0

204060

WDPSea StarsBivalves

Crustacea Shrimp Echinoids Euphausiids Gammarids Miscellaneous Ophiur

% Composition

B

Figure 215B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American plaice 

in the medium size class (n = 4,801). WDP = well-digested prey.
Large

0

204060

WDP Sea Stars Bivalves

Decapod CrabsEchinoids Echinoderms Misc

% Composition

C

Figure 215C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for American plaice 

in the large size class (n = 1,037). WDP = well-digested prey.
Northern Shortfin Squid

0

102030405060

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans Euphausiids Illex Squid 

% Composition

Figure 216. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern shortfi

n = 3,072). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified fish. 
1970s

0

102030405060

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans Euphausiids 

% Composition

A

Figure 217A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern shortf

collected in the 1970s (n = 1,674). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish 
1980s

0

20406080

WDP

Cephalopods

Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Illex Squid 

% Composition

B

Figure 217B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern short

collected in the 1980s (n = 1,397). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis
Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

204060

WDP

Cephalopods

Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans 

% Composition

A

Figure 218A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern shortfi

collected in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 711). WDP = well-digested prey
Southern New England

0

20406080

100

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans Euphausiids Illex Squid 

% Composition

B

Figure 218B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern shortfin 

collected in Southern New England (n = 636). WDP = well-digested prey; 
Georges Bank

0

204060

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans Euphausiids 

% Composition

C

Figure 218C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern shortf

collected on Georges Bank (n = 916). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 
Gulf of Maine

0

1020304050

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans Euphausiids 

% Composition

D

Figure 218D. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern short

collected in the Gulf of Maine (n = 518). WDP = well-digested prey; Un
Scotian Shelf

0

20406080

100

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans Illex Squid 

% Composition

E

Figure 218E. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern shortf

collected on the Scotian Shelf (n = 256). WDP = well-digested prey; Uni
Fall

0

204060

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans Euphausiids 

% Composition

A

Figure 219A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern shortfi

collected in the fall (n = 1,952). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 
Spring

0

204060

WDP

Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids 

% Composition

B

Figure 219B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern shortf

collected in the spring (n = 215). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 
Summer

0

1020304050

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans Illex Squid 

% Composition

C

Figure 219C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern short

collected in the summer (n = 905). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis
Small

0

204060

WDP

CephalopodsChaetognaths

Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans 

% Composition

A

Figure 220A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern shortf

in the small size class (n = 544). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = 
Medium

0

204060

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans Euphausiids Illex Squid 

% Composition

B

Figure 220B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for northern shortf

in the medium size class (n = 2,501). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F
Longfin Squid

0

204060

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans Euphausiids 

% Composition

Figure 221. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longfin s

n = 3,080). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidentified f
1970s

0

20406080

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans Euphausiids 

% Composition

A

Figure 222A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longfin 

collected in the 1970s (n = 1,654). WDP = well-digested prey; Un
Figure 222B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longfin squi

collected in the 1980s (n =1,426). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. F

1980s

0

204060

WDP

Cephalopods

Crustacea Shrimp

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Loligo Squid

Silv

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius b
Mid-Atlantic Bight

0

204060

WDP

Cephalopods

Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Decapod Crab

% Composition

A

Figure 223A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longfin squid 

in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (n = 1,550). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid
Figure 223B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longfin squid 

in Southern New England (n = 759). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. 

Southern New England

0

20406080

WDP

Cephalopods

Crustaceans

Euphausiids

Loligo Squid

Silver 

% Composition

B

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilin
Figure 223C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longfin squid 

on Georges Bank (n = 672). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = un

Georges Bank

0

20406080

100

WDP

Cephalopods

Crustaceans

Silver Hake

% Composition

C

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
Figure 224A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longfin squid 

in the fall (n = 1,565). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unidenti

Fall

0

204060

WDP

Cephalopods

Crustaceans

Decapod Crabs

Silver Hake

% Composition

A

Silver Hake (Merluccius bilinearis
Spring

0

20406080

100

WDP

Cephalopods

Crustacea Shrimp Crustaceans Euphausiids 

% Composition

B

Figure 224B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longfin squid 

in the spring (n = 754). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = uniden
Summer

0

20406080

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans Decapod CrabsLoligo Squid 

% Composition

C

Figure 224C. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longfin squid (

in the summer (n = 761). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fish = unide
Small

0

204060

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans EuphausiidsLoligo Squid 

% Composition

A

Figure 225A. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longfin squid 

in the small size class (n = 2,188). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fis
Medium

0

204060

WDP

Cephalopods Crustaceans Decapod Crabs Euphausiids 

% Composition

B

Figure 225B. Percent diet composition by weight of major prey taxa for longfin squid 

in the medium size class (n = 878). WDP = well-digested prey; Unid. Fi
Smooth dogfish Spiny dogfish

Barndoor skate

Winter skate

Clearnose skate

Rosette skate

Little skate

Smooth skate

Thorny skate Atlantic herring Alewife

Blueback herring American shad

Offshore hake

Silver Hake

Atlantic cod

Haddock

Pollock

White hake

Red hake

Spotted hake Atlantic halibut

American plaice

Summer flounder

Fourspot flounder

Yellowtail flounder

Winter flounder

Witch flounder

Windowpane Gulf Stream flounder

Atlantic mackerel

Butterfish

Bluefish

Atlantic croaker

Striped bass Black sea bass

Scup Weakfish

Spot Acadian redfish

Blackbelly rosefish

Longhorn sculpin Sea raven

Northern searobin

Striped searobin Northern sand lance

Ocean pout Fawn cusk-eel

Goosefish

Atlantic sharpnose shark Northern shortfin squid Longfin squid

Smooth dogfish Spiny dogfishBarndoor skateWinter skateClearnose skateRosette skateLittle skateSmooth skate Thorny skate Atlantic herringAlewife Blueback herringAmerican shadOffshore hakeSilver HakeAtlantic codHaddockPollockWhite hakeRed hake Spotted hakeAtlantic halibut American plaiceSummer flounder Fourspot flounderYellowtail flounderWinter flounderWitch flounder WindowpaneGulf Stream flounderAtlantic mackerelButterfishBluefishAtlantic croaker Striped bassBlack sea bass ScupWeakfish SpotAcadian redfish Blackbelly rosefish Longhorn sculpinSea ravenNorthern searobin Striped searobinNorthern sand lance Ocean poutFawn cusk-eelGoosefish Atlantic sharpnose shaNorthern shortfin squid Longfin squid
Figure 226. Dietary overlap for 52 predators of the NEUS continental shelf community based on th

Common and scientific names for the species shown include: smooth dogfish (Musteluacanthias), barndoor skate (Dipturus laevis), winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata), clearn

(Leucoraja garmani), little skate (Leucoraja erinacea), smooth skate (Malacoraja sen

Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus), alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), blueback herring (Alosa sapidissima), offshore hake (Merluccius albidus), silver hake (Merluccius bilinhaddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), pollock (Pollachius virens), white hake (Uroph

chuss), spotted hake (Urophycis regia), Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), 

platessoides), summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), fourspot flounder (Hippoglos(Limanda ferruginea), winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus), witch flound

windowpane flounder (Scophthalmus aquosus), Gulf Stream flounder (Citharichthys a

scombrus), butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), Atlantic 

striped bass (Morone saxatilis), black sea bass (Centropristis striata), scup (Stenotomu

regalis), spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus), blackbelly longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus), sea raven (Hemitripterus amercarolinus), striped searobin (Prionotus evolans), northern sand lance (Ammodytes dubifawn cusk-eel (Lepophidium profundorum), goosefish (Lophius americanus), Atlantic terraenovae), northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus), and longfin squid (Loligo pe
APPENDIX
Table A1. Species to be sampled, and maximum lengths (cm) for sampling YOY for the major sampling regions (strata sets) during 1973-76.

Mid-Atlantic Bight

Species (Strata 61-76)American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus) 13

Cod, Atlantic (Gadus morhua )

Flounder, Fourspot (Hippoglossina oblonga ) 7

Flounder, Witch (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus )

Flounder, Yellowtail (Limanda ferruginea )Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus )Hake, Red (Urophycis chuss )

Hake, Silver (Merluccius bilinearis) 20

Hake, Spotted (Urophycis regia ) 13

Hake, White (Urophycis tenuis )

Ocean Pout (Zoarces americanus )Pollock (Pollachius virens)Redfish, Acadian (Sebastes fasciatus)

Sculpin, Longhorn (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus )

Scup (Stenotomus chrysops ) 13Skate, Little (Leucoraja erinacea ) 

Georges Bank

(Strata 13-23, 25)

Gulf of Maine

(Strata 24, 26-30, 36-40)

Southern New England

Strata (1-12)

12202013131320

2012202013

7

20

7

20

7

202020

7
Table A2. Offshore species to be sampled, and maximum lengths for sampling juveniles for the major sampling regions (strata sets) during 1977-80.

Mid-Atlantic Bight

(Strata 61-76)

SpeciesAtlantic herring (Clupea harengus)Bass, Black Sea (Centropristis striata ) 15Cod, Atlantic (Gadus morhua )

Dogfish, Smooth (Mustelus canis) 60

Dogfish, Spiny (Squalus acanthias) 60

Flounder, Windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus) 10

Flounder, Winter (Pseudopleuronectes americanus )Goosefish (Lophius americanus)

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus )Hake, Red (Urophycis chuss )

Hake, Silver (Merluccius bilinearis)

Mackerel, Atlantic (Scomber scombrus )

Redfish, Acadian (Sebastes fasciatus)

Skate, Winter (Leucoraja ocellata )Squid, Longfin Inshore (Loligo pealeii ) 15

Squid, Northern Shortfin (Illex illecebrosus ) 15

20

Georges Bank Gulf of Maine 

(Strata 13-23, 25)

Southern New England

Strata (1-12) (Strata 24, 26-30, 36-40) 

15

20

60601540

601540255015

6040202020

15 15 15

15
Table A3. Species to be sampled for inshore strata north and south of Cape Cod during 1977-80.

Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific NameAll sharks, skates, and rays Elasmobranchii All sharks, skates, and rays ElasmobranchiiSmooth dogfish Mustelus canis Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus Thorny skate Amblyraja radiata

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus Atlantic wolffish Anarhichas lupus

Windowpane Flounder Scophthalmus aquosus Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes a

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynog

Scup Stenotomus chrysops Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippogl

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix American plaice Hippoglossoides plate

Weakfish Cynoscion regalis Cunner Tautogolabrus adsper

Black sea bass Centropristis striata Alewife Alosa pseudoharengu

Spot Leiostomus xanthurus Atlantic cod Gadus morhua

Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis

Striped bass Morone saxatilis Haddock Melanogrammus aegl

Northern kingfish Menticirrhus saxatilis Red hake Urophycis chuss

Southern kingfish Menticirrhus americanus White hake Urophycis tenuis

Longfin inshore squid Loligo pealeii Northern shortfin squid Illex illecebrosus 

South of Cape Cod North of Cape Cod
Table A4. Miscellaneous species to be sampled from specific regions and any region during 1977-1980 

 (A “3” indicates that samples were collected). 

Mid-Atlantic Southern Georges Gulf of Western Nova Any 

Species Bight New England Bank Maine Scotia Region

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) 3

All grenadiers (Macrouridae) 3

Shad, American (Alosa sapidissima ) 3

Argentines (Argentinidae) 3

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix ) 3

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus) 3

Croaker, Atlantic (Micropogonias undulatus) 3

Cusk (Brosme brosme ) 3 3

Cusk-eel, Fawn (Lepophidium profundorum ) 3

Dory, Buckler (Zenopsis conchifera ) 3

Eel, American (Anguilla rostrata ) 3

Eel, Conger (Conger oceanicus) 3

Flounder, Fourspot (Hippoglossina oblonga ) 3 3

Flounder, Gulf Stream (Citharichthys arctifrons) 3 3

Flounder, Summer (Paralichthys dentatus) 3 33

Flounder, Windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus) 3 3

Flounder, Winter (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) 3

Flounder, Witch (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) 3

Hake, Longfin (Phycis chesteri) 3

Hake, Offshore (Merluccius albidus) 3

Hake, White (Urophycis tenuis) 3

Halibut, Atlantic (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) 3

Herring, Round (Etrumeus teres) 3

Mackerel, Atlantic (Scomber scombrus) 3 3

Mackerel, Snake (Gempylus serpens) 3

Needlefish, Atlantic (Strongylura marina ) 3

Pollock (Pollachius virens) 3

Rays (Myliobatiformes) 3 3 33 3

Sand Lance, American (Ammodytes americanus) 3

Sand Lance, Northern (Ammodytes dubius) 3

Sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus) 3 3

Sea Robin, Armored (Peristedion miniatum ) 3

Sea Robin, Northern (Prionotus carolinus) 3

Sea Robin, Striped (Prionotus evolans) 3

Sharks (Elasmobranchii) 3 3 33 3

Skate, Thorny (Amblyraja radiata ) 3

Skates (Rajiformes) 3 3 33 3

Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) 3

Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) 3

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) 3

Wolffish, Atlantic (Anarhichas lupus) 3

Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus) 3

Any other unusual fish obtained 3
Table A5. Order of sampling priority, length categories, target numbers of stomachs to sample per watch, and sampling methods for species from which stomach contents were collected d

 1981-1984.

Length No. to Sampling Length 

Category Sample/ Method Category 

Species (cm)a Watch to Use Species (cm)a 

Hake, Silver (Merluccius bilinearis) 0-10 10 Preserve samples

Hake, White (Urophycis tenuis ) 0-20 

11-20 10 21-40 21-30 20 >40 31-35 20

>35 20

Hake, 

Red (Urophycis chuss ) 0-10 

11-20 

Cod, Atlantic (Gadus morhua ) 0-10 5 Preserve samples 21-30 

11-30 20 31-35 31-50 20 >35 51-70 2071-90 30

Goosefish (Lophius americanus) All 

>90 All

Flounder, Winter (Pseudopleuronectes americanus ) 0-15 

Dogfish, Spiny (Squalus acanthias) 0-65 20 Examine at sea 16-30 

66-85 20 31-50 

>85 20 >50 

Flounder, 

Yellowtail (Limanda ferruginea ) 0-10 5 Preserve samples

Mackerel, Atlantic (Scomber scombrus ) 0-20 

11-20 5 21-25 21-30 5 26-30 31-40 5 >30 

>40 5

Herring, 

Atlantic (Clupea harengus) 0-15 

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus ) 0-25 5 Preserve samples 16-25 

26-50 5 26-30 

>50 5 >30 

Pollock (Pollachius virens) 0-15 5 Examine at sea

16-25 526-50 551-80 5

>80 5

aLength categories are to be consistent with those of the Age and Growth Project.
Table A6. Priority species to have stomach contents collected at sea during 1985-91, and the minimum numbers of stomachs to sample per leng

Length Minimum 

Category No. to C

Species (cm) Sample Species Hake, Silver (Merluccius bilinearis )

a 1-20 5 Pollock (Pollachius virens ) 

21-25 5 26-30 10 31-35 10 

>35 10

Hake, Red (Urophycis chuss ) 

Cod, Atlantic (Gadus morhua )

a 1-30 5 

31-50 10 51-70 15 71-90 15 

>90 All

Mackerel, Atlantic (Scomber scombrus ) 

Dogfish, Spiny (Squalus acanthias )

a 1-65 20 

66-85 25 

>85 25

Herring, Atlantic (Clupea harengus ) 

Hake, White (Urophycis tenuis ) 1-20 5 

21-40 5 

>40 5

aHighest priority species.
Table A7. Secondary species to have stomach contents collected at sea during 1985-91. 

 of each species should be taken for each watch.).Common Name Scientific NameAcadian redfish Sebastes fasciatusLittle skate Leucoraja erinaceaStriped bass Morone saxatilisAlewife Alosa pseudoharengusLonghorn sculpin Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosusSummer flounder Paralichthys dentatusAtlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossusScup Stenotomus chrysopsThorny skate Amblyraja radiataBluefish Pomatomus saltatrixSea raven Hemitripterus americanusWeakfish Cynoscion regalisFourspot flounder Hippoglossina oblongaSmooth dogfish Mustelus canisWindowpane Scophthalmus aquosusGoosefish Lophius americanusSpotted hake Urophycis regiaWinter skate Leucoraja ocellata
Table A8. Species to be sampled, sampling ranges, and maximum numbers of stomachs to sample per station

 for 1992-93 bottom trawl surveys.

Sampling

Species Range (cm) Spring Fall Spring Fall

Bass, Striped (Morone saxatilis) 1 per 1 All All All All

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix ) 1 per 1 10 10 10 10

Cod, Atlantic (Gadus morhua ) 3 per 3 25 25 25 25

Dogfish, Smooth (Mustelus canis) 1 per 3 10 10 10 10

Dogfish, Spiny (Squalus acanthias) 1 per 3 30 30 30 30

Flounder, Fourspot (Hippoglossina oblonga ) 1 per 1 10 10 10 10

Flounder, Summer (Paralichthys dentatus) 1 per 1 10 10 10 10

Flounder, Windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus) 1 per 1 10 10 10 10

Goosefish (Lophius americanus) 1 per 1 All All All All

Hake, Red (Urophycis chuss) 1 per 1 10 10 10 10

Hake, Silver (Merluccius bilinearis) 1 per 1 10 10 10 10

Hake, Spotted (Urophycis regia ) 1 per 1 10 10 10 10

Hake, White (Urophycis tenuis) 3 per 3 10 10 10 10

Halibut, Atlantic (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) 1 per 1 All All All All

Herring, Atlantic (Clupea harengus) 1 per 1 10 10 10 10

Mackerel, Atlantic (Scomber scombrus) 1 per 1 10 10 10 10

Pollock (Pollachius virens) 1 per 1 20 20 20 20

Sculpin, Longhorn (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus) 1 per 1 10 10 10 10

Sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus) 1 per 1 10 10 10 10

Skate, Little (Leucoraja erinacea ) 1 per 2 10 10 10 10

Skate, Thorny (Amblyraja radiata ) 1 per 2 10 10 10 10

Skate, Winter (Leucoraja ocellata ) 1 per 2 10 10 10 10

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) 1 per 1 10 10 10 10

1992 1993

Bottom Trawl Survey
Table A9. Species to be sampled, sampling ranges, and priority designations for stomach sampling per station for 1994-98 bottom trawl surve

 (A “

3” indicates that samples were requested with no particular priority ranking.).

Sampling 

Range

Species (cm) Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall 

Bass, Striped (Morone saxatilis) 1 per 1 33 33 33 33 

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix ) 1 per 1 33 33 33 33 

Cod, Atlantic (Gadus morhua ) 3 per 3 3 3 11 11 11 

Dogfish, Smooth (Mustelus canis) 1 per 3 33 33 33 33 

Dogfish, Spiny (Squalus acanthias) 1 per 3 3 3 22 22 22 

Flounder, Fourspot (Hippoglossina oblonga ) 1 per 1 3 3 55 65 65 

Flounder, Summer (Paralichthys dentatus) 1 per 1 33 33 33 33 Flounder, Windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus) 1 per 1 33 33 33 33 Goosefish (Lophius americanus) 1 per 1 33 33 33 33 

Hake, Red (Urophycis chuss) 1 per 1 33 33 33 33 

Hake, Silver (Merluccius bilinearis) 1 per 1 3 3 33 33 33 Hake, Spotted (Urophycis regia ) 1 per 1 33 33 33 33 

Hake, White (Urophycis tenuis) 3 per 3 33 33 33 33 

Halibut, Atlantic (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) 1 per 1 33 33 33 33 Herring, Atlantic (Clupea harengus) 1 per 1 3 3 4 4

3

4

3

4

Mackerel, Atlantic (Scomber scombrus) 1 per 1 33 33 33 33 

Pollock (Pollachius virens) 1 per 1 33 33 33 33 

Sculpin, Longhorn (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus) 1 per 1 33 33 8 3 8 3 

Sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus) 1 per 1 33 33 7 3 7 3 

Skate, Little (Leucoraja erinacea ) 1 per 2 33 33

4

3

4

3

Skate, Thorny (Amblyraja radiata ) 1 per 2 33 33 33 33 Skate, Winter (Leucoraja ocellata ) 1 per 2 33 33 5 3 5 3 Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) 1 per 1 33 33 33 33 

Bottom Trawl Survey

1994 1995 1996 1997
Table A10. Species to be sampled, sampling ranges, and priority designations for 1999 bottom trawl surveys

 Sampling 

Species Range (cm) Priority 

Bass, Black Sea (Centropristis striata ) 1 per 5 - Halibut, Atlantic (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) Bass, Striped (Morone saxatilis) 1 per 5 - Herring, Atlantic (Clupea harengus) 

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix ) 1 per 5 - Herring, blueback (Alosa aestivalis) 

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus) 1 per 5 - Mackerel, Atlantic (Scomber scombrus) 

Cod, Atlantic (Gadus morhua ) 1 per 5 - Ocean pout (Zoarces americanus) 

Cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) 1 per 5 - Pollock (Pollachius virens) 

Cusk (Brosme brosme ) 1 per 5 - Redfish, Acadian (Sebastes fasciatus) 

Cusk-eel, Fawn (Lepophidium profundorum ) 1 per 5 - Rosefish, blackbelly (Helicolenus dactylopterus) 

Dogfish, Smooth (Mustelus canis) 1 per 10 (per sex) - Salmon, Atlantic (Salmo salar) 

Dogfish, Spiny (Squalus acanthias) 1 per 10 (per sex) - Sculpin, Longhorn (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus) 

American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) 1 per 5 - Scup (Stenotomus chrysops) 

Flounder, Fourspot (Hippoglossina oblonga ) 1 per 5 - Sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus) 

Flounder, Summer (Paralichthys dentatus) 1 per 5 3 Shad, American (Alosa sapidissima ) 

Flounder, Windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus) 1 per 5 - Shad, hickory (Alosa mediocris) 

Flounder, Winter (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) 1 per 5 - Skate, Little (Leucoraja erinacea ) 

Flounder, Witch (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) 1 per 5 - Skate, rosette (Leucoraja garmani) 

Flounder, Yellowtail (Limanda ferruginea )

a 1 per 5 2 Skate, smooth (Malacoraja senta ) 

Goosefish (Lophius americanus) 1 per 5 - Skate, Thorny (Amblyraja radiata ) 

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) 1 per 5 1 Skate, Winter (Leucoraja ocellata ) 

Hake, Offshore (Merluccius albidus) 1 per 5 - Spot (

Leiostomus xanthurus) 

Hake, Red (Urophycis chuss) 1 per 5 - Tautog (Tautoga onitis) 

Hake, Silver (Merluccius bilinearis) 1 per 5 - Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) 

Hake, Spotted (Urophycis regia ) 1 per 5 - Wolffish, Atlantic (Anarhichas lupus) 

Hake, White (Urophycis tenuis) 1 per 5 -

aSample ALL yellowtail flounder from Strata 5, 6, 9, and 10. Continue to sample one fish per 5-cm length interval in all other strata

Species
Table A11. Species to be sampled, sampling ranges, and priority designations for 2000-02 bottom trawl surveys

 Sampling  Range (cm) Priority 

Bass, Black Sea (Centropristis striata ) 1 per 5 - Halibut, 

Atlantic (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) 

Bass, Striped (Morone saxatilis) 1 per 1 - Herring, 

Atlantic (Clupea harengus) 

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix ) 1 per 5 - Herring, blueback (Alosa aestivalis) Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus) 1 per 5 - Mackerel, Atlantic (Scomber scombrus) 

Cod, Atlantic (Gadus morhua ) 1 per 10 -

Ocean pout (Zoarces americanus) 

Cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) 1 per 5 - Pollock (Pollachius virens) Cusk (Brosme brosme ) 1 per 1 - Redfish, Acadian (Sebastes 

fasciatus) 

Cusk-eel, Fawn (Lepophidium profundorum ) 1 per 5 - Rosefish, blackbelly (Helicolenus dactylopterus) 

Dogfish, Smooth (Mustelus canis) 1 per 10 - Salmon, 

Atlantic (Salmo salar) 

Dogfish, Spiny (Squalus acanthias) 1 per 20 - Sculpin, Longhorn (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus) 

American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) 1 per 2 - Scup (Stenotomus chrysops) 

Flounder, Fourspot (Hippoglossina oblonga ) 1 per 5 - Sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus) Flounder, Summer (Paralichthys dentatus) 1 per 5 - Shad, American (Alosa sapidissima ) Flounder, Windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus) 1 per 2 - Shad, hickory (Alosa mediocris) Flounder, Winter (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) 1 per 2 2 Skate, Little (Leucoraja erinacea ) 

Flounder, Witch (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) 1 per 2 - Skate, rosette (Leucoraja garmani ) 

Flounder, Yellowtail (Limanda ferruginea )

a 1 per 2 1 Skate, smooth (Malacoraja senta ) 

Goosefish (Lophius americanus) 1 per 10 - Skate, Thorny (A

mblyraja radiata ) 

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) 1 per 5 3 Skate, Winter (Leucoraja ocellata ) Hake, Offshore (Merluccius albidus) 1 per 1 - Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) Hake, Red (Urophycis chuss) 1 per 5 - Tautog (Tautoga onitis) Hake, Silver (Merluccius bilinearis) 1 per 5 - Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) Hake, Spotted (Urophycis regia ) 1 per 5 - Wolffish, Atlantic (Anarhichas lupus) Hake, White (Urophycis tenuis) 1 per 10 -

Species Species
Table A12. Species to be sampled, sampling ranges, and priority designations for 2003-05 bottom trawl surveys

 Sampling 

 Range (cm) Priority Species 

Bass, Black Sea (Centropristis striata ) 1 per 5 - Halibut, 

Atlantic (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) 

Bass, Striped (Morone saxatilis) 1 per 1 - Herring, 

Atlantic (Clupea harengus) 

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix ) 1 per 5 - Herring, blueback (Alosa aestivalis) Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus) 1 per 5 - Lanternfish (Myctophidae)b 

Cod, Atlantic (Gadus morhua ) 1 per 10 3 Mackerel, Atlantic (Scomber scombrus) Croaker, 

Atlantic (Micropogonias undulatus) 1 per 5 -

Ocean pout (Zoarces americanus) 

Cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus)

a 1 per 5 - Pollock (Pollachius virens) 

Cusk (Brosme brosme ) 1 per 1 - Redfish, Acadian (Sebastes 

fasciatus) 

Cusk-eel, Fawn (Lepophidium profundorum )

a 1 per 5 - Rosefish, blackbelly (Helicolenus dactylopterus) 

Dogfish, Smooth (Mustelus canis) 1 per 10 (per sex) - Salmon, 

Atlantic (Salmo salar) 

Dogfish, Spiny (Squalus acanthias) 1 per 20 (per sex) - Sculpin, Longhorn (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus) Dory, Buckler (Zenopsis conchifera ) 1 per 5 - Scup (Stenotomus chrysops) Eel, Conger (Conger oceanicus) 1 per 5 - Sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus) 

American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) 1 per 2 - Sea Robin, 

Armored (Peristedion miniatum ) 

Flounder, Fourspot (Hippoglossina oblonga ) 1 per 5 3 Sea Robin, Northern (Prionotus carolinus) Flounder, 

Gulf Stream (Citharichthys arctifrons) 1 per 5 - Sea Robin, Striped (Prionotus evolans) 

Flounder, Summer (Paralichthys dentatus) 1 per 5 3 Shad, American (Alosa sapidissima ) Flounder, Windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus) 1 per 2 - Shad, hickory (Alosa mediocris) Flounder, Winter (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) 1 per 2 6 Skate, Little (Leucoraja erinacea ) 

Flounder, Witch (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) 1 per 2 - Skate, rosette (Leucoraja garmani ) 

Flounder, Yellowtail (Limanda ferruginea )

a 1 per 2 6 Skate, smooth (Malacoraja senta ) 

Goosefish (Lophius americanus) 1 per 10 1 Skate, Thorny (A

mblyraja radiata ) 

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) 1 per 5 4 Skate, Winter (Leucoraja ocellata ) Hake, Offshore (Merluccius albidus) 1 per 1 3 Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) Hake, Red (Urophycis chuss) 1 per 5 - Tautog (Tautoga onitis) Hake, Silver (Merluccius bilinearis) 1 per 5 2

Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) 

Hake, Spotted (Urophycis regia ) 1 per 5 - Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) Hake, White (Urophycis tenuis) 1 per 10 - Wolffish, Atlantic (Anarhichas lupus) 

aPreserve stomach. bPreserve entire animal.

Species
Table A13. Species to be sampled, sampling ranges, and priority designations for 2006-08 bottom trawl surveys

 Sampling 

Common Name Range (cm) Priority Common Name 

Bass, Black Sea (Centropristis striata ) 1 per 5 - Herring, blueback (Alosa aestivalis) 

Bass, Striped (Morone saxatilis) 1 per 1 -

Kingfish, northern (Menticirrhus saxatilis) 

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix ) 1 per 5 - Lanternfish (Myctophidae)b 

Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus) 1 per 5 - Mackerel, Atlantic (Scomber scombrus) 

Cod, Atlantic (Gadus morhua ) 1 per 10 5 Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) Croaker, 

Atlantic (Micropogonias undulatus) 1 per 5 -

Ocean pout (Zoarces americanus) 

Cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus)

a 1 per 2 - Pollock (Pollachius virens) 

Cusk (Brosme brosme ) 1 per 1 3 Redfish, Acadian (Sebastes 

fasciatus) 

Cusk-eel, Fawn (Lepophidium profundorum )

a 1 per 2 - Rosefish, blackbelly (Helicolenus dactylopterus) 

Dogfish, Smooth (Mustelus canis) 1 per 20 (per sex) - Salmon, 

Atlantic (Salmo salar) 

Dogfish, Spiny (Squalus acanthias) 1 per 30 (per sex) - Sculpin, Longhorn (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus) Dory, Buckler (Zenopsis conchifera ) 1 per 5 - Scup (Stenotomus chrysops) Eel, Conger (Conger oceanicus) 1 per 10 - Sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus) 

American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) 1 per 5 - Sea Robin, 

Armored (Peristedion miniatum ) 

Flounder, Fourspot (Hippoglossina oblonga ) 1 per 10 6 Sea Robin, Northern (Prionotus carolinus) Flounder, 

Gulf Stream (Citharichthys arctifrons) 1 per 2 - Sea Robin, Striped (Prionotus evolans) 

Flounder, Summer (Paralichthys dentatus) 1 per 10 6 Shad, American (Alosa sapidissima ) Flounder, Windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus) 1 per 2 - Shad, hickory (Alosa mediocris) Flounder, Winter (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) 1 per 5 4 Skate, barndoor (Dipturus laevis) 

Flounder, Witch (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) 1 per 2 - Skate, clearnose (Raja eglanteria ) 

Flounder, Yellowtail (Limanda ferruginea )

a 1 per 5 4 Skate, Little (Leucoraja erinacea ) 

Rockling, Fourbeard (Enchelyopus cimbrius)

a 1 per 2 - Skate, rosette (Leucoraja garmani ) 

Goosefish (Lophius americanus) 1 per 20 - Skate, smooth (Malacoraja senta ) 

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) 1 per 5 1 Skate, Thorny (A

mblyraja radiata ) 

Hake, Offshore (Merluccius albidus) 1 per 1 2 Skate, Winter (Leucoraja ocellata ) Hake, Red (Urophycis chuss) 1 per 5 - Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) 

Hake, Silver (Merluccius bilinearis) 1 per 5 5 Tautog (Tautoga onitis)

a 

Hake, Spotted (Urophycis regia ) 1 per 5 -

Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) 

Hake, White (Urophycis tenuis) 1 per 10 - Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) Halibut, 

Atlantic (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) 1 per 1 - Wolffish, Atlantic (Anarhichas lupus) 

Herring, 

Atlantic (Clupea harengus) 1 per 5 7

aPreserve stomach.bPreserve entire animal.
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NEFSC occasionally releases its results in its own media. Currently, there are three such media:

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE -- This series is issued irregularly. The series typically includes: data reports of 

long-term field or lab studies of important species or habitats; synthesis reports for important species or habitats; annual reports 

of overall assessment or monitoring programs; manuals describing program-wide surveying or experimental techniques; literature 

surveys of important species or habitat topics; proceedings and collected papers of scientific meetings; and indexed and/or annotated 

bibliographies. All issues receive internal scientific review and most issues receive technical and copy editing.

Northeast Fisheries Science Center Reference Document -- This series is issued irregularly. The series typically includes: data 

reports on field and lab studies; progress reports on experiments, monitoring, and assessments; background papers for, collected

abstracts of, and/or summary reports of scientific meetings; and simple bibliographies. Issues receive internal scientific review, but 

no technical or copy editing.

Resource Survey Report (formerly Fishermen's Report) -- This information report is a quick-turnaround report on the distribution 

and relative abundance of selected living marine resources as derived from each of the NEFSC's periodic research vessel surveys

of the Northeast's continental shelf. There is no scientific review, nor any technical or copy editing, of this report.

OBTAINING A COPY: To obtain a copy of a NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE or a Northeast Fisheries Science Center 

Reference Document, or to subscribe to the Resource Survey Report, either contact the NEFSC Editorial Office (166 Water St., 

Woods Hole, MA 02543-1026; 508-495-2228) or consult the NEFSC webpage on "Reports and Publications" (http://www.nefsc.

noaa.gov/nefsc/publications/).

ANY USE OF TRADE OR BRAND NAMES IN ANY NEFSC PUBLICATION OR REPORT DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT.

MEDIA

 MAIL