Record-Breaking Feeding Frenzy: 10 Million Capelin Consumed by Cod

Scientists document the largest known ocean predation event, highlighting the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.

Researchers used advanced sonar technology to observe a massive predation event off the Norwegian coast, where 10.5 million capelin were consumed by cod in just a few hours.
The event involved a shoal of 23 million capelin forming a dense group, which attracted a shoal of 2.5 million cod that attacked in a coordinated manner.
Capelin, a critical species in the North Atlantic food chain, migrate annually to spawn, making them vulnerable to predators like cod.
Although this event is unlikely to impact the capelin population significantly, climate change poses a threat by forcing capelin to travel further to spawn, increasing stress and vulnerability.
The study underscores the importance of monitoring marine ecosystems to understand predator-prey dynamics and the potential consequences of environmental changes.