Abstract
Daily ration estimates of Norway lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ) from field samplings over a 24‐h cycle were obtained. Four tows were conducted in the middle continental slope, off the south coast of Portugal. The results from Eggers (1977, 1979) and Elliot & Persson (1978) daily ration models were compared, by the Worobec 8‐method (1984), showing no significant differences among them. The estimates of food consumption obtained varied from 1.098 to 1.170 g dry food per 100 g body wet weight in males and 1.642 to 1.755 g dry food per 100 g body wet weight in females. Our results were compared with daily rations reported for other crustaceans. Daily ration values were compared and tested by a two‐way ANOVA, with interaction, showing significant differences between sexes. This has been registered for other decapods and may be explained by a period of active growth in females, on the onset of vitellogenesis, increasing their nutritional/ feeding needs.