THE CONSUMPTION OF ZOOPLANKTON BY COMB-JE LLY MNEMIOPSIS-LEIDYI AND PELAGIC FISHES IN THE BLACK-SEA

Quantity of the Black Sea plankton consumed by Mnemiopsis was estimate d in comparison with total plankton production and its part, consumed by most abundant planktivorous fishes. During the period of the mass d evelopment of Mnemiopsis (1989 - 1990) it consumed daily up to 7% of b iomass and more than 50% of daily production of the zooplankton consum able to fish. The consumption of zooplankton by fishes was a half of t hat of Mnemiposis during the time of its mass development(in 1989) and then was comparable to it. In summer fishes and Mnemiopsis together c onsumed 6 - 13% of the fodder zooplankton biomass and 20 - 120% of its production. Harsh feeding competition has caused the catastrophic dec reasing of catches of the planktivorous fishes just within the peak ti me of Mnemiopsis development and after it.