Results of 2017 Chukchi Sea Acoustic/Trawl Survey

Description

We conducted acoustic-trawl (AT) surveys of the US continental shelf region of the Chukchi Sea during ice-free periods (1 August to 27 September) with a focus on Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), a key species in Arctic ecosystems. These surveys indicate that midwater fishes are dominated by age-0 Arctic cod, with large numbers of age-0 walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) found in the region for the first time. Age-0 Arctic cod abundances were significantly larger than observed in previous surveys. Age-0 Arctic cod were distributed north of 68 °N with the highest densities in the northeastern Chukchi Sea, and age-0 pollock were found throughout the region north of 66 °N. Additional key pelagic species included capelin (Mallotus villosus), saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis), and Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus). These three species were primarily found in coastal areas between 66.5-72 °N. As had been previously observed, sizeable populations of age-0 Arctic cod were observed in the northern Chukchi Sea, which suggests that this area is an important nursery ground. The increase in age-0 pollock abundance suggests that environmental conditions now enable species from the south to colonize the Chukchi Sea, at least on a seasonal basis.

Resources

Name Format Description Link
33 NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nmfs/afsc/dmp/pdf/64623.pdf
0 View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/64623
0 Link to publication https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967064516300297
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

Tags

  • northern bering sea
  • pacific herring (clupea pallasii)
  • alaska fisheries science center
  • capelin (mallotus villosus)
  • 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
  • pacific cod (gadus macrocephalus)
  • walleye pollock (gadus chalcogrammus)
  • chukchi sea

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