Zooplankton mortality in 3D ecosystem modelling considering variable spatial–temporal fish consumptions in the North Sea.

Highlights: [•] This new approach provides a realistic and simple closure term for 3D ecosystem models. [•] Spatio-temporal consumption rates of planktivorous fish were estimated for the N sea. [•] Fish larvae, herring and sandeel were the most important predators on zooplankton. [•] Fish consumption was imposed onto a 3D model as a mesozooplankton mortality. [•] This changed the spatio-temporal patterns of modelled mesozooplankton biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]