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    Chlorophyll-a, used by plants to turn light energy into food, is a measure of productivity at the base of the oceanic food web.

bering sea haiku

As the cold seas warm,
scientists plunge in to find
where the fishes go.

Nora Deans
BEST-BSIERP Outreach Manager

“Geo-pollock-tics” a Potential Concern as Fish Move Northward

An article in the Los Angeles Times recently explored the northward shift of walleye pollock toward Russian waters, and what it could mean for the fishery. Bering Sea Project scientists helped shed light.

pollock fleet

Above: The pollock fleet works the Russian-Alaskan border in the Bering Sea. (Mark Rauzon/NPRB)

The research of Franz Mueter and Jim Ianelli figured prominently in the story. See article, pictures, video

Mueter is trying to quantify historical patterns of productivity of pollock and other species -- known as "trophic interactions" -- and seeing if or how well these patterns match current hypotheses about productivity. A main question is: How do physical and biological processes interact to predict the quantity of pollock? More about trophic interactions

Analysis of 25 years of surveys showed that the ranges of most fish are shifting north as the ice and cool water have retreated, said Mueter. "What we found confirmed the obvious -- as waters warm, a lot of fish on the eastern Bering Sea shelf are moving north."

Since fish pay little, if any, attention to international boundaries, this could have lasting implications for the fishery. "We think, depending on the year and conditions, that roughly 10 to 20% of the stock goes over to the Russian side," said Ianelli.

Both Mueter and Ianelli are building models to make predictions about the future of pollock and other Bering Sea species. Mueter is using retrospective data to predict biomass dynamics and compare predictions to historical trends. Ianelli is using a set of existing models to create blended forecasts and evaluate management strategies. More about modeling

Temperature redistributes groundfish populations

In the most recent stock assessment he helped prepare for 2009 management recommendations, Ianelli noted that for the past 3 years conditions in the eastern Bering Sea shelf have been abnormally cool, and that the acoustic survey -- which extended in the Russian zone -- found relatively few pollock in that region.

bering sea at a glanceThe Bering Sea Project is . . .

A six-year study of the Bering Sea benthos, atmosphere, and everything in between

From 2007-2012, we are looking at the Bering Sea ecosystem from atmospheric forcing and physical oceanography through humans and communities.

We are also studying the social and economic impacts of a changing marine ecosystem. Innovative ecosystem modeling, sound data management and exciting education and outreach activites will unite the program.

Learn more about the program
  • "At-a-glance" version (updated September 2008) describes the program in general terms, including focal areas, partner communities, and education, outreach, and communication efforts.
  • In-depth presentation provides more technical detail, including the Oscillating Control Hypothesis, the BSIERP and BEST programs, and specific studies.