The food of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., caught by long–line in northern Norwegian waters

A total of 1145 stomachs from Atlantic salmon caught over the shelf off Helgeland/Trøndelag, and in the oceanic waters off Andenes, northern Norway during late winter–spring, 1969–1972 were examined. Food was found in 52.9% of the stomachs examined. The most important food items found in fish caught in the Helgeland/Trøndelag area were euphausids and hyperid amphipods while the myctophid Benthosema glaciale, the squid Gonatus fabricil and euphausids were found most frequently in the salmon caught off Andenes. Most salmon had preyed upon only one species, and few stomachs contained three or more prey species. The type of food did not appear to be related to the length of the fish. It is suggested that some mesopelagic feeding occurred.