The Antarctic toothfish: how common a prey for Weddell seals?

Reported herein are observations of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) feeding on Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, during 2001-2003 austral summers. In addition to past reports of isolated toothfish captures, the frequency of these observations and the quantity of toothfish captured lead us to suggest that this species is a significant prey item for Weddell seals, and that the recent development of a toothfish fishery in the Ross Sea may have broader impacts than expected. This is especially important in the McMurdo Sound region as toothfish are probably common (as evidenced by more than 30 years of sustained research projects on that toothfish population).