VARIATIONS IN LARVAL WALLEYE POLLOCK FEEDING AND CONDITION - A SYNTHESIS

There was a strong association among concentrations of microzooplankto n prey sampled from the walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma, larval habitat, gut contents of larvae, and their nutritional condition. Sub sequently, hypothesized survival potentials linked to food availabilit y were validated by independently determined mortality rates. We prese nt evidence that a significant number of walleye pollock Larvae were s tarving in 1991 but that fewer were starving in 1992, At some stations where prey levels were anomalously low in 1991, up to 40% of the larv ae were in poor condition. There appears to be a 2-week period after f irst feeding when walleye pollock are vulnerable to starvation.