FOOD ECOLOGY OF NORTH-SEA DAB (LIMANDA-LIMANDA) .1. SEASONAL-CHANGES IN FOOD UPTAKE AND CONDITION IN THE GERMAN BIGHT AND ON DOGGER BANK

From 1984 to 1986 feeding, condition and the gonadosomatic index of da b (Limanda limanda (L.)) were studied in the German Eight and on Dogge r Bank. In the German Eight all parameters showed a distinctive season al periodicity: A maximum peak of food diversity, food uptake and cond ition in summer and low feeding activity and condition in spring durin g the spawning season. On Dogger Bank measured food parameters and con dition factor were rather constant throughout the year or at least sho wed strongly reduced seasonal changes. In both areas seasonal periodic ity in food and condition was related to comparable seasonal changes i n the macrobenthos. This strongly reduced seasonal variation of food u ptake and condition of dab on Dogger Bank can be explained by an exten ded food supply in winter and spring.