Data from: Forage species in predator diets: synthesis of data from the California Current

Characterization of the diets of upper-trophic pelagic predators that
consume forage species is a key ingredient in the development of
ecosystem-based fishery management plans, conservation of marine
predators, and ecological and economic modeling of trophic interactions.
Here we present the California Current Predator Diet Database (CCPDD) for
the California Current region of the Pacific Ocean over the past century,
assimilating over 190 published records of predator food habits for over
100 predator species and 32 categories of forage taxa (species or groups
of similar species). Literature searches targeted all predators that
consumed forage species: seabirds, cetaceans, pinnipeds, bony and
cartilaginous fishes, and a predatory invertebrate. Diet data were
compiled into a relational database. Analysis of the CCPDD highlighted
differences in predator diet data availability based on geography, time
period and predator taxonomy, as well as prominent prey categories. The
top 5 forage taxa with the most predators included juvenile rockfish,
northern anchovy, euphausiid krill, Pacific herring and market squid.
Predator species with abundant data included Pacific hake, common murre,
and California sea lion. Most diet data were collected during the summer;
the lack of winter data will restrict future use of the CCPDD to
understand seasonal patterns in predator diet unless more such data become
available. Increased synthesis of historical information can provide new
resources to understand patterns in the role of forage species in predator
diet. Increased publication and/or accessibility of long-term datasets and
data-sharing will further foster the synthesis of information intended to
inform the management, conservation and understanding of marine food webs.