1. The Arctic Ocean Ecosystem
SI_ARCTIC
The Arctic Ocean Ecosystem
Institute of Marine Research, Norway
INTAROS KO-meeting, Bergen, January 2017

2. Background
Strategic Initiative − The Arctic Ocean Ecosystem (SI_ARCTIC)
- 5-yr ( ) strategic initiative funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (channeled through the Norwegian Research Council)
Motivation for the project:
Baseline information in the Arctic Ocean ecosystem is lacking
Commercial fish species are moving north
Fisheries might follow?

3. Overall objective of SI_ARCTIC
To develop a knowledgebase on the state and variability of the present and future Arctic Ocean ecosystem.
To explore potential options for providing ecosystem-based advice in a changing climate context.

4. Study region

5. Work themes in the project
WP1 Exploration and mapping
WP2 Functioning of the Arctic Ocean ecosystem
WP3 Changes in the Arctic Ocean Ecosystem
WP4 Ecosystem-based advice
WP5 Design a long-term monitoring program

6. Approach Review of historical data and literature
Field activity collecting new data

7. Fisheries in the seas to the south
Haug et al., 2017

8. Present fishing/hunting activity north of Svalbard
Commercial catch of shrimp with
Norwegian vessels in 2014
Catch positions for minke whale
in Norwegian commercial hunting
operations
Will species of commercial interest expand northwards
in a way that they are of interest for fisheries and hunting?
Haug et al., 2017

9. Physical oceanographic possibilities and constraints
Stratification
-affecting the nutrients available for production
Salinity and temperature
Location of sections
Haug et al., 2017

10. Conclusions (on the physical part)
Production in the central Arctic Ocean will continue to be limited by light and by vertical stratification reducing nutrient availability
However, there is a high probability that decreasing ice cover and increasing temperatures will lead to increased biological production in waters at the northern continental shelves

11. Approach – field activity
Aim of surveys: Conduct baseline studies of the marine ecosystem in the in the Arctic Ocean/the region north of Svalbard
Stations and sea ice conditions
Observations of:
Physical and chemical oceanography
Phyto- and zooplankton
Fish (pelagic and demersal)
Benthos
Marine mammals and birds

12. Mesopelagic layer measured with acoustics
Red lines show
temperature
Ingvaldsen et al., in review

13. Low biomass compared to further south
But will it increase in the future?
Knutsen et al., in review

14. Conclusion
The mesopelagic layer north of Svalbard will be an important reference point for understanding and quantifying future changes in the pelagic ecosystem of the Arctic Ocean
Long-term monitoring of this layer is highly relevant for SI_ARCTIC

15. Thank you!