Pelagic-benthic energy coupling at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy

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Abstract
From independent estimates of pelagic and benthic production in the southwestern mouth of the Bay of Fundy, we have estimated the relative importance of various links in the trophic web. Primary production in the area is approximately 6650 KJ · m−2 · yr−1. The 60 % of the total on average. Sedimentation data indicate that, on average, 30 % of the chlorophyll-a biomass sinks out of the euphotic zone unutilized by secondary producers. The major components of annual sedimentation are composed of algal cells and fecal pellets. Fifty percent of algal flux is composed of cells 3000 KJ · m−2 · yr−1, into production. Demersal fisheries production is consequently low (21 KJ · m−2 · yr−1). In contrast, pelagic fish production is five times greater. The production efficiency between Zooplankton and pelagic fish is 13.4 %. We conclude that most secondary production at the southwestern mouth of the Bay of Fundy is realized within the water column and is thus available trophically to a predominantly pelagic fishery.