Preliminary results of fisheries research in the East Siberian Sea at the RV «Professor Levanidov» in September 2019

Abstract

The results of complex research carried out in the East Siberian Sea on board of RV “Professor Levanidov” in September 2019 are presented. The formation of positive air temperature anomalies over the sea, the expansion of the zone of river flow influence in the central and southeastern parts of the shelf, and an abnormal decrease in sea ice cover were noted. Arctic water masses and the waters of the East Siberian Sea were dominant on the shelf. At depths of more than 180 m, waters of Atlantic origin were well traced by salinity more than 34.5 ‰, positive temperature and silicon content less than <10 μM. Photosynthesis processes were limited by nitrogen, whose concentrations in the photic layer were reduced to analytical zero. Summer phase of phyto- and zooplankton development was observed in most of the sea. The main contribution to the total biomass of mesoplankton was made by copepods and chaetognaths. Plankton biomass on the inner shelf was twice as high as on the outer shelf. The average benthic biomass in trawl catches was 15 kg per mile, of which up to 74 % was echinoderms and 9 % crustaceans.17 fish species from 6 families were registered in trawl catches. The dominant species was the polar cod Boreogadus saida found in small numbers almost everywhere at depths 33 to 250 m with bottom temperatures from –1.7 to 0.47 °C, kept sparse, without forming dense aggregations. Maximum concentrations were observed in the southeastern part of the study area. High intensity of fish feeding was noted. Diets of polar cod and snailfishes (Liraridae) consisted mostly of hyperiids, gammarids, and copepods. The diet of capelin Mallotus villosus was dominated by copepods. Polychaetes and gammarids formed the bulk of the diet of sculpins (Cottidae). Microplastics are found in small quantities in the southeastern and central part of the sea only. Tissue samples were collected for population-genetic analysis, DNA‑barcoding studies, and analysis of aquaDNA.