Alimentation du merlan Merlangius merlangus L. en Mer Celtique

The importance of prédation by the whiting from the Celtic Sea has been studied by analysis of stomach contents. Eight hundred and thirteen whitings have been examined during 1984-1986 period. Fish food totalizes 97 % of food. It is chieffly swimming species (poor-cod, Norway pout, clupeidae and blue whiting) ; no cannibalism has been observed. The daily food indice varies between 2 and 4 % according to the length and the annual consumption on fishes of nominal catches (11 230 t for 1983) would reach 135 000 t corresponding to species already fished for human consumption and meal industry.