Fishing Boats Moving Northward Across the Bering Sea Shelf from 2013 to 2022

Greg Howard
2nd August, 2024

Fishing Boats Moving Northward Across the Bering Sea Shelf from 2013 to 2022

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study focused on the Bering Sea, a vital area for global fisheries, and examined the northward shift of commercial fishing vessels from 2013 to 2022
  • Researchers found that fishing vessels have moved northward, with increased activity in the Northern Bering Sea, especially during October-February and July-August
  • This shift aligns with the poleward movement of fish populations, driven by climate change and decreasing sea ice, impacting the distribution of commercial fishing efforts
The Bering Sea, a critical region for global fisheries, has been undergoing significant ecological shifts due to climate change. Recent research conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard Academy[1] has examined whether commercial fishing vessels have also shifted their distribution northward in response to these changes. This study is crucial as it provides insights into the early stages of a potential long-term redistribution of commercial fishing efforts in the Bering Sea, a region that supports one of the world's largest fishing industries. The study utilized Vessel Management System data collected between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2022, to track the movements of commercial fishing vessels. The researchers identified areas where vessel activity increased, termed "emerging hot spots," and areas where it decreased, termed "emerging cold spots." Their hypothesis was that these emerging hot spots would be found at the northern edge of the vessel operating range, while the emerging cold spots would be at the southern edge. The results confirmed this hypothesis, showing a clear northward shift in vessel distribution, particularly during the months of October to February and July to August. In August, the trend was most pronounced with emerging hot spots widespread in the Northern Bering Sea. The range of emerging hot spots was centered 204–515 kilometers to the north, northeast, or northwest of the emerging cold spots. This shift coincides with the busiest fishing seasons and the open seasons for walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), suggesting that the movements of the fishing vessels are closely tied to the availability of target fish populations. This study builds on earlier findings that have documented poleward shifts in fish stocks in the Bering Sea Shelf. For instance, previous research has shown that the distribution of Pacific cod has shifted northward, with nonspawning cod in the northern Bering Sea being genetically similar to spawning stocks in the eastern Bering Sea[2]. This indicates that the large EBS stock is migrating northward during summer months, aligning with the observed shifts in commercial fishing vessel activity. The study also aligns with findings regarding the Cold Pool (CP) in the Bering Sea, a region of cold bottom water formed by seasonal sea ice cover. The extent of the CP has been decreasing due to recent declines in sea ice cover[3]. This reduction in the CP is significant because it delineates the boundary between arctic and subarctic demersal fish species. A northward retreat of the CP is likely associated with the migration of subarctic species toward the Chukchi Sea, further supporting the observed northward shifts in fish populations and, consequently, commercial fishing activities. The methods used in this study involved analyzing vessel movement data to identify spatial patterns in fishing activity. By mapping these emerging hot and cold spots, the researchers were able to visualize the shifts in distribution over time. This approach provides a valuable tool for understanding how commercial fishing efforts are adapting to ecological changes in the Bering Sea. In summary, the study by the U.S. Coast Guard Academy highlights a significant northward shift in commercial fishing vessel distribution in the Bering Sea, likely driven by the poleward movement of fish populations due to climate change. This research not only corroborates earlier findings of northward shifts in fish stocks[2] and changes in the Cold Pool extent[3] but also provides a crucial window into the potential long-term impacts on one of the world's largest fishing industries. Understanding these shifts is essential for developing adaptive management strategies to ensure the sustainability of fisheries in the face of ongoing climate change.

EnvironmentSustainabilityMarine Biology

References

Main Study

1) Poleward shifts in commercial fishing vessel distribution over the Bering Sea shelf, 2013–2022

Published 31st July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-024-03283-4

Related Studies

2) Genetic evidence of a northward range expansion in the eastern Bering Sea stock of Pacific cod.

https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12874

3) On the variability of the Bering Sea Cold Pool and implications for the biophysical environment.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266180


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