Based on the trawl surveys in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea and determination of the related annual average temperature (T), asymptotic weight (W∞), the aspect ratio of caudal fin (A) and stomach contents (Ft), Q/B values of 103 fish species were calculated by three empirical models. The Q/B values ranged from 3.09 (for Lophius litulon )to 19.13 (for Benthosema pterotum) and the average value was 7.97. The amount of annual food consumption by the fish species was assessed based on the Q/B values and the amount of biomass. In the Yellow Sea, the major species including Engraulis japonicus, Trachurus japonicus, Scomber japonicus, Liparis tanakai, and Larimichthys polyactis,was consumed 4.49×106 tons/year. In the East China Sea, the major species such as Trachurus japonicus, Trichiurus haumela, Acropoma japonicum Günther, Engraulis japonicus, and Scomberomorus niphonius, was consumed 1.75×106 tons/year. Food consumption by 97 fish species in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea were 4.66×106 tons/year and 2.78×106 tons/year, respectively. Meanwhile, the quantity of major food organisms such as Euphausiids, Engraulis japonicus, Acropoma japonicum Günther, Benthosema pterotum, Apogon lineatus, Loligo japonica Hoyle, Copepoda, Sergestidae, Leptochela gracilis and Crangon affinis consumed in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea was evaluated. The total amount of major food organisms consumed in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea was 5.55×106 tons/year, accounting for 74.6% of the total food consumption by 97 fish species. |