Nestled between the landmasses of Alaska and Russia lies the
expanse of ocean known as the Bering Sea. This northern extension of the
Pacific Ocean covers 890,000 square miles and varies greatly in depth.
It is the location of bitter cold, harsh storms, and, despite these
conditions, a surprising abundance of marine life.
Unfortunately, due to an increase in fishing and a lack of
sustainable fishing restrictions, the Bering Sea’s diverse ecosystem is
being severely threatened. Protective measures must be taken immediately
in order to heal this wounded ecosystem.
Many scientists believe that, during the most recent ice age, the Bering Strait served as a land bridge that permitted migration from the Asian continent to the Americas. This led to the colonization of the Americas by the people now known as Native Americans.
Precipitation varies widely from north to south, but is overall substantial. The southern sea receives nearly 40 inches of precipitation, most of which is rain due to the warmer temperatures. The colder northern sea, on the other hand, receives nearly 20 inches of precipitation annually, most of which is snow. Despite these icy conditions, however, the Bering Sea is home to a diverse, rich ecosystem.
Due to large amounts of upwelling in the area, phytoplankton are seasonally supplied with ample nutrients. They bloom in large quantities, becoming the prey of larger animals. This rich foundation of life provides food for fish and shellfish such as crab, cod, pollock, and salmon. Even larger marine mammals such as seals and baleen whales come to live and feed in the region. Unfortunately, this beautiful ecosystem has experienced great devastation in recent decades.
As fishermen continue to fish, the food source of predators begins to dwindle. As a result, the populations of these larger predators suffer dramatic decreases. For example, some harbor seal populations have declined nearly 90% in recent years. Additionally, some species such as Stellar’s Sea Cow, have even been directly overexploited by fishermen to the point of extinction.
Despite the overfishing, very little legislation currently exists to protect the Bering Sea from the harms of overfishing. This is partially due to the fact that the Bering Sea ecosystem is so complex. Without enough scientific data, it is difficult to make informed decisions that properly weigh financial benefits against potential ecological damage.
Nonetheless, it is important that these seas soon be protected for the sake of the ecosystem itself and also for the economy that so many fishermen base their livelihoods upon. Continued threats to the ecosystem could lead to devastating effects, for animals and humans alike.
Unfortunately, due to an increase in fishing and a lack of
sustainable fishing restrictions, the Bering Sea’s diverse ecosystem is
being severely threatened. Protective measures must be taken immediately
in order to heal this wounded ecosystem.
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How Deep?
The Bering Sea is composed of two general areas. One is a shallow area near the continental shelves in the northeast that reaches depths of only 500 feet. The second contains three large ocean basins, the deepest of which reaches a depth of nearly 13,500 feet. Additionally, the sea is bordered in the south by the Aleutian Islands and in the north by the Bering Strait.Many scientists believe that, during the most recent ice age, the Bering Strait served as a land bridge that permitted migration from the Asian continent to the Americas. This led to the colonization of the Americas by the people now known as Native Americans.
The Climate
The climate of the Bering Sea is very harsh. The mean annual temperature of the northern waters is -10°C while the mean annual temperature of the southern waters is 4°C. In the winters, temperatures drop significantly, ranging from -35° C to -45°C.Precipitation varies widely from north to south, but is overall substantial. The southern sea receives nearly 40 inches of precipitation, most of which is rain due to the warmer temperatures. The colder northern sea, on the other hand, receives nearly 20 inches of precipitation annually, most of which is snow. Despite these icy conditions, however, the Bering Sea is home to a diverse, rich ecosystem.
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The Ecosystem
Even above the water, life thrives. Thirty species of birds use the Bering Sea as their summer breeding ground, with nearly 20 million individual birds visiting each year. Below the birds, the waters teem with abundant life.Due to large amounts of upwelling in the area, phytoplankton are seasonally supplied with ample nutrients. They bloom in large quantities, becoming the prey of larger animals. This rich foundation of life provides food for fish and shellfish such as crab, cod, pollock, and salmon. Even larger marine mammals such as seals and baleen whales come to live and feed in the region. Unfortunately, this beautiful ecosystem has experienced great devastation in recent decades.
Overfishing
The wealth of the Bering Sea has made it a huge target for fisheries. Over a billion dollars worth of seafood is harvested yearly, especially King Crab (as documented on Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch), salmon, and pollock. These harvests are certainly not without their impact.As fishermen continue to fish, the food source of predators begins to dwindle. As a result, the populations of these larger predators suffer dramatic decreases. For example, some harbor seal populations have declined nearly 90% in recent years. Additionally, some species such as Stellar’s Sea Cow, have even been directly overexploited by fishermen to the point of extinction.
Despite the overfishing, very little legislation currently exists to protect the Bering Sea from the harms of overfishing. This is partially due to the fact that the Bering Sea ecosystem is so complex. Without enough scientific data, it is difficult to make informed decisions that properly weigh financial benefits against potential ecological damage.
Nonetheless, it is important that these seas soon be protected for the sake of the ecosystem itself and also for the economy that so many fishermen base their livelihoods upon. Continued threats to the ecosystem could lead to devastating effects, for animals and humans alike.