PREDATORS OF THE AGULHAS-BANK

The current knowledge of the population status and trophic interaction s of four groups of predators, fish, seabirds, seals and cetaceans, on the Agulhas Bank is reviewed. Predatory fish are divided according to the communities they influence; pelagic, rocky reef and soft substrat a. Although the biomass of fish on the Bank and their consumption are poorly known, the fish fauna is diverse. Judging by the catches made b y demersal and line fisheries, the large stocks on the Bank must have a significant impact on each of the communities they prey on. The non- commercial species are particularly poorly understood. Resident seabir d numbers (14 species) are relatively well known, their diets determin ed and consumption levels calculated. In contrast, these factors are p oorly understood for migrant seabirds (77 species). The only pinniped, the South African fur seal, is a conspicuous component of the Bank, f eeding throughout its area. Seal numbers, feeding patterns and consump tion rates are well documented far the western Bank, bur knowledge of the easterly populations is scant. Some 32 cetacean species are known to occur in this region. This fauna is poorly studied and little is kn own of the various populations or their dietary preferences. It is con cluded that this large marine ecosystem ir poorly understood and this provides a major challenge for marine scientists.