SI_ARCTIC The Arctic Ocean Ecosystem Institute of Marine Research, Norway

SI_ARCTIC The Arctic Ocean Ecosystem Institute of Marine Research, Norway INTAROS KO-meeting, Bergen, 11-12 January 2017

Background Strategic Initiative − The Arctic Ocean Ecosystem (SI_ARCTIC) - 5-yr (2014-2018) 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?

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.

Study region

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

Approach • Review of historical data and literature • Field activity collecting new data

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

Catch positions for minke whale in Norwegian commercial hunting operations 1993-2015 Present fishing/hunting activity north of Svalbard Commercial catch of shrimp with Norwegian vessels in 2014 Will species of commercial interest expand northwards in a way that they are of interest for fisheries and hunting? Haug et al., 2017

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you! http://siarctic.imr.no randi@imr.no

SI_ARCTIC The Arctic Ocean Ecosystem Institute of Marine Research, Norway