AFSC/RACE/MACE: Results of 2012 Chukchi Sea Acoustic/Trawl Survey

Description

We conducted acoustic-trawl (AT) surveys of the Alaska northern Bering and Chukchi Seas during ice-free periods with a focus on Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), a key species in Arctic ecosystems. The mixed species assemblages in the study area required a refinement of standard AT survey methods used in Alaska. These surveys indicate that midwater fishes are dominated by age-0 Arctic and saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis), capelin (Mallotus villosus), and Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii). Age-0 Arctic cod were distributed north of 70 °N, age-0 saffron cod were abundant in coastal areas between 66.5-69.5 °N, and Pacific herring were distributed south of 67 °N. Sizeable populations of age-0 Arctic cod were observed in the northern Chukchi Sea, which suggests that this area is an important nursery ground. However, relatively few larger Arctic cod were observed in this and other surveys of the area, which suggests that either overwinter mortality of age-0 Arctic cod is high, and/or these fish are not retained on the Chukchi shelf.

Resources

Name Format Description Link
0 The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/find-data/idn/gcmd-keywords
0 View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/28421
33 NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nmfs/afsc/dmp/pdf/28421.pdf

Tags

  • northern bering sea
  • pacific herring (clupea pallasii)
  • alaska fisheries science center
  • pelagic fish
  • acoustic trawl surveys
  • arctic cod (boreogadus saida)
  • noaa
  • arctic zone
  • afsc/race/mace: chukchi sea acoustic/trawl survey
  • saffron cod (eleginus gracilis)
  • u.s. department of commerce
  • midwater trawl
  • national marine fisheries service
  • doc/noaa/nmfs/afsc
  • acoustic surveys
  • chukchi sea

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