Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) in fjord and glacial habitats: a collaborative study with Uummannap Kangerlua fishers

Abstract

Arctic cod ( Boreogadus saida) (Lepechin, 1774) is often found in front of glaciers, which is the least studied of the species’ habitats. Uummannap Kangerlua and Sullorsuaq in West Greenland provide a unique opportunity to study Arctic cod in the glacial habitat, as they are among the few places with a directed Arctic cod fishery. Inuit fishers from these fjords regularly catch Arctic cod as fresh bait for the Greenland halibut ( Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) (Walbaum, 1792) longline fishery, the main economic activity in the region. We collaborated with the fishers to learn about Arctic cod through interviews and collection of fish samples. Ten informants provided information on fishing areas, fishing methods, interannual variability in the catches, relationships with temperature and sea ice, and reported a spawning area near Saattut. One of the two samples collected contained only 21% males, which were longer, heavier, older, and had a higher gonadosomatic index than females. This skewed sex ratio may result from size-selective predation or spawning migration. Collaboration with fishers provided important baseline information on Arctic cod in fjord and glacial habitats. Continued efforts could bring a better understanding of key aspects of Arctic cod that are relevant for all Arctic communities located near glacial fjords.