Northern
Bering Sea IERP
The Northern Bering Sea IERP will focus on the northern Bering Sea and include consideration of upstream and downstream ecosystems in the southeastern Bering Sea, western Bering Sea, and Chukchi Sea, respectively.
Northern
Bering Sea Defined
The northern Bering Sea is defined as the area of the Bering Sea shelf north of 60°N (area shaded in dark; the dotted line is 60°N). This ecosystem typically has continuous winter sea ice cover and strong northern water flow through the narrow Bering Strait. The two largest rivers in Alaska (Yukon and Kuskokwim) also exit in this area and represent an important source of freshwater and nutrients.
The Northern Bering Sea IERP will focus on the northern Bering Sea and will include consideration of upstream and downstream ecosystems in the southeastern Bering Sea, western Bering Sea, and Chukchi Sea, respectively.
Importance to Coastal Communities
Alaska communities rely on healthy marine resources. Salmon, marine mammals, and other species sustain communities and are intricately connected to their cultural identity. Rapid environmental change has caused uncertainty about the times and places that resources may be harvested, and in some instances access has become more dangerous. Sea ice loss has increased vessel traffic leading to potential disturbance and exposure to pollutants. Ecosystem studies that include Alaska community members will improve our collective understanding of how environmental change affects marine species and their interactions and the communities that rely upon them.
Importance to Industry Stakeholders
Alaska’s fisheries support important sectors of the economy both locally and nationally, and provide food security and an important source of fresh seafood worldwide. Rapid environmental change has led to crashes of stocks of highly valued species like crab and salmon and created economic uncertainty. Recently, distributions of major groundfish stocks including walleye pollock and Pacific cod have shifted northward, sometimes into areas where U.S. commercial fisheries cannot access them. Better understanding the mechanisms underlying recent changes in the northern Bering Sea may further inform fisheries management and industry partners in the development of strategies to respond and enhance resilience.
