Diets of shags Phalacrocorax aristotelis and cormorants P carbo in Norway and possible implications for gadoid stock recruitment

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Abstract
The diets of shags and cormorants were studied in Norway through analyses of regurgitated pellets. Although this method has many limitations, indications were that both species rely heavily on small gadoids (Gadidae) sand and eels (Ammodytidae) for food throughout their range, but also eat other fish species when available. There was considerable dietary overlap between species, despite a tendency for cormorants to eat larger fish and more benthic items than shags. Predation by shags and cormorants could be a factor limiting the recruitment of cod, [Gadus morhua] and saithe [Pollachius virens] into what are now severely reduced, but commercially important stocks in the Norwegian and Barents Seas.