Seasonal Changes in Whole-body Energy Content and Estimated Consumption Rates of Age 0 Walleye Pollock from Prince William Sound, Alaska

Changes in WBEC of the 1996 year class was monitored during their first year. On 13 June recently metamorphosed pollock had a SL of 34 (±5) mm and a mean WBEC of 2•7 (±0•2) kJ g−1vs81 (±10) mm and 3•6 (±0•2) kJ g−1on 6 October. Based on these mean values, growth rates for age 0 pollock during their first 119 days were 0•4 mm day−1and 7•8 J g−1 day−1. Modeling changes in body weight, energy content and metabolic demands for both active metabolism and growth allowed prediction of food intake over their first 270 days. Predicted wet wt of fish increased from an initial 0•37 g to a high of 7•6 g. Estimated food intake ranged from 0•21 to 1•29 kJ day−1.