This paper gives an overview of the trophic interactions in the North Sea in 1981 when 45,000 fish stomachs were sampled. The study is based on the data base of the ICES Multispecies Assessment Working Group (MS WG) and published information. A balanced, steady state model of interactions and biomasses at all trophic levels in made using the ECOPATH II software. The model is preliminary as information was lacking for a number of groups. The results show among other things that the food consumption rates used by the MS WG for three of the important gadoid species are unrealistically low.