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Project
A new knowledge base for the management of fisheries in the Arctic
Strengthening the scientific knowledge base of the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement
As the central Arctic has become significantly more accessible in recent years, there is a risk of unregulated use of the biological resources available there. In 2021, the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement was therefore concluded, which provides for a ban on commercial fishing until 2037. At the same time, a joint program was set up to research and record the fisheries resources there. German and Swedish expeditions have recently been able to provide important data for assessing the available resources. However, there are still large gaps in knowledge that this project aims to close.
Background and Objective
To close these knowledge gaps, SciCAO will leverage the already funded RV Polarstern expedition PS144 (ArcWatch II) to address five objectives:
1) Assessing the species composition, distribution and population parameters of finfish in the CAO based on the analysis of fish catches and eDNA sequences.
2) Improving the toolbox for non-invasive monitoring of fish abundance and distribution by cross-validating hydroacoustic measurements, catch data and eDNA analysis.
3) Identifying trophic dependencies of pelagic fish and mapping the spatial distribution of their food stocks based on quantitative diet studies and the biomass distribution of zooplankton.
4) Mapping migratory pathways of Atlantic gadoids into the CAO by combining genetically identified source populations with lifehistory temperature reconstructions based on δ18O measurements in otolith samples.
5) Contributing new data to the JPSRM and to other stakeholders, including local and indigenous communities, marine managers, policy makers and the international scientific community (e.g. fish species composition, abundance and biomass, diet composition, genetic population structure, ambient temperatures experienced during lifetime, zooplankton biomass).
Target Group
Science and policy
Approach
Analyses of fish catches and eDNA sequences will be used to assess species composition, distribution and population parameters of fish in the CAO. Noninvasive monitoring of fish abundance and distribution will be improved by cross-validation of hydroacoustic measurements, catch data and eDNA analysis.
Quantitative diet studies and zooplankton biomass distribution will be used to investigate trophic dependencies of pelagic fishes and to map the spatial distribution of their food sources.
Combining genetically identified source populations with temperature reconstructions using δ18O measurements in otolith samples will be used to investigate migration routes of Atlantic gadoids into the CAO.
Finally, new data (e.g. fish species composition, abundance and biomass, diet composition, genetic population structure, lifetime ambient temperatures, zooplankton biomass) will be provided to the JPSRM and other stakeholders.
Our Research Questions
- Which fish species can we find in the Central Arctic and where are they distributed?
- How can we improve non-invasive monitoring of Arctic fish stocks?
- Where do pelagic fish have access to food in the Central Arctic?
- Which routes do Atlantic gadoids (cod-like fish) take to the Central Arctic?
Thünen-Contact
Involved external Thünen-Partners
- Alfred Wegener Institut (AWI) - Helmholtz -Zentrum für Polar und Meeresforschung
(Bremerhaven, List (Sylt), Deutschland)
Funding Body
-
European Union (EU)
(international, öffentlich)
Duration
8.2024 - 7.2026
More Information
Project funding number: Call: EMFAF-2023-PIA-FisheriesScientificAdvice - project number: 101156101
Funding program: EMFAF - Europäischer Meeres-, Fischerei- und Aquakulturfond
Project status:
ongoing
