Assessing the relationship between diet and size-at-age in Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) using δ13C and δ15N analysis

Abstract

The ecological mechanisms driving an observed decline in the mean size-at-age of adult Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) in the eastern North Pacific Ocean have yet to be defined. Here, we present the results of a study designed to investigate the relationship between one potential mechanism — diet — and size-at-age using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis. Our results indicate significant differences in the skeletal muscle δ13C and δ15N values between size-at-age categories for each sex, with larger-size-at-age fish consuming diets with higher δ15N values, indicating higher trophic level feeding. Analysis of Bayesian standard ellipse areas showed that for females, intermediate size-at-age categories have the largest dietary range. For males, the largest dietary range was observed in the largest size-at-age category. Our results suggest a size-based stratification in dietary strategy for Pacific halibut with implications for observed declines in size-at-age.