Fluctuations in Numbers and Activity of Inshore Demersal Fishes in Shetland

• Published in: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
• Main Authors: Kruuk, H., Nolet, B., French, D.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1988
• Subjects: Aquatic Science; Black guillemot; Cepphus grylle; Lutra lutra
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315400028745; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0025315400028745

Prey populations, patterns of availability, and dispersion of prey can have farreaching effects on numbers and range-sizes of terrestrial Carnivora (Macdonald, 1983; Kruuk & Parish, 1982; Kruuk & Macdonald, 1985). These parameters may therefore also affect populations of otters Lutra lutra , living in the sea around Shetland, U.K., as well as populations of fish-eating birds there. This paper presents observations on fluctuations in numbers and activity of several species of demersal fish, over a 3½ year period, along a coast in Shetland. It aims to provide information on the distribution and availability of these species to some predators, especially to the otter, but also to the heron Ardea cinerea , the black guillemot Cepphus grylle and others.