Research project Strengthening the scientific knowledge base of the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement
General introduction
What are the characteristics of the pelagic fish community in the Central Arctic Ocean, in terms of biodiversity, spatial and temporal distribution, ecology and connectivity? As the temperature in the Arctic is increasing four times faster than the global average, there is an accelerated decline in sea ice and an extension of the ice-free season. As a result, shipping activity in the region is increasing and new fishing grounds could potentially be opened up. However, to date, there is little scientific knowledge about the potential fish stocks in the region. This is nevertheless a requirement of the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement (CAOFA) before sustainable fisheries management can or will be implemented in the near future.
Research approach
During the PS144 “ArcWatch II” campaign with the icebreaker RV Polarstern, a pelagic fishing net was trawled for the first time in the Central Arctic Ocean between August and October 2024. Several partners of the SCICAO project focus on the description of the catch and the identification of the pelagic fish species, a description of the species composition based on eDNA, next to research into the feeding ecology of the most common fish species. ILVO’s task is to unravel the population structure and genetic connectivity of the most common fish species using genetic markers. Our results, in combination with a reconstruction of the life-history temperature relationships based on otoliths (performed by AWI), will provide a clear picture of the fish migration patterns in the region.
Relevance/Valorization
Good scientific knowledge of the Central Arctic Ocean ecosystem and the local pelagic fish species is essential to ensure an ecosystem-based fisheries management. The results of the SCICAO project will be shared with international advisory bodies such as ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) and LDAC (Long Distance Fleet Advisory Council). The scientific data from this project will be made publicly available through new and existing databases. This will increase our understanding of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management, and will enable us to better support both the scientific community and stakeholders with sound advice based on high-quality fisheries data.
