Distribution of polar cod and age-0 fish in the U.S. Beaufort Sea

Abstract

Little is known about species composition, distribution, and abundance of pelagic fish in the U.S. portion of the Beaufort Sea continental shelf and slope. To inventory the community and describe pelagic fish distributions relative to water characteristics, a systematic survey was conducted in August 2008. Acoustics (38 kHz), midwater trawling, and CTD casts were used to sample water depths from 20 to 500 m. Age-1+ polar cod (Boreogadus saida) was the dominant fish species, with peak densities of 155,000 # ha−1 at bottom depths of 100–350 m. Age-0 fish (polar cod, sculpin (Cottidae family), and eelblenny (Lumpenus sp.)), dominated the pelagic biomass at bottom depths between 20 and 75 m, with peak densities of 160,000 # ha−1, but were also found in surface waters at bottom depths >75 m. Age-1+ polar cod were associated with cold, saline waters likely of Chukchi Sea origin and mirrored published foraging distributions for beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas). Conversely, age-0 fish were found in warm, fresher water, likely of ice melt and/or riverine origin, throughout the study area. This study provides a necessary baseline for the development of Arctic assessment surveys and management plans for polar cod.