1 TROPHIC DYNAMICS OF ALBATROSSES ASSOCIATED WITH SQUID AND LARGE-MESH DRIFTNET FISHERIES IN THE NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN 1 2 3 Patrick Gould , Peggy ostrom , William Walker 1 Alaska Science Center, National Biological Service, 1011 E Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK, 99503, 2 Michigan State University, Department of Geological Sciences, 206 East Lansing MI, 48824, 3 National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, Seattle, WA, 98115 Author to whom mss correspondence should be sent: Patrick J. Gould phone: ( 907) 786-3382 fax: (907) 786-3636 E-mail:
[email protected] Running head: Albatross trophic dynamics 2 TROPHIC DYNAMICS OF ALBATROSSES ASSOCIATED WITH SQUID AND LARGE-MESH DRIFTNET FISHERIES IN THE NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN 1 2 3 Patrick Gould , Peggy ostrom , William Walker 1 Alaska Science Center, National Biological Service, 1011 E Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK, 99503, 2 Michigan State University, Department of Geological Sciences, 206 East Lansing MI, 48824, 3 National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, Seattle, WA, 98115 ABSTRACT: Diets of Laysan (LAA} and Black-footed albatrosses (BFA} killed in squid and large-mesh driftnets in the transitional zone of the North Pacific Ocean were investigated by examining the contents of digestive tracts and o13c and o15N in breast muscle tissues. Stable isotope values were also obtained for nestlings of both species on Midway Island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Combining digestive tract and stable isotope studies proved effective in interpreting intra- and inter-specific food habits of these North Pacific albatrosses.