The distinctive feature of the atmospheric circulation was an intensification of the Arctic anticyclone during spring and summer, which caused a southward shift of Atlantic cyclone tracks and prevalence of northerly and easterly winds over the Barents Sea.The Atlantic Water temperature was higher than the average throughout the year of 2008, but colder than in the previous two years. The positive temperature anomalies gradually decreased from January-March to August-September, and then increased again during the autumn.
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The spring bloom of phytoplankton at the Bear Island transect in 2008 was within the “normal” period of the spring bloom and started in the end of April. In addition to available nutrients the onset of the spring bloom depends heavily on factors such as stratification and light. In 2008 the average zooplankton biomass was below the long-term mean. However, the average value for 2008 is based on fewer stations than covered the year before. In the Russian sector alone the average biomass in 2008 was considerably higher than what was observed in the Norwegian part of the Barents Sea.
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The indices of stock size of Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) have increased from 2004 to 2006, but decreased again from 2006 to 2008. Given the high probability of the stock being considerably above Bmsy, risk of stock biomass falling below this optimum level in the near future is low.]]>
Based on the most recent estimates of spawning stock biomass, ICES classifies the stocks of cod and haddock to have full reproductive capacity and being harvested sustainably. Signs of improved recruitment of redfish are now seen in the Barents Sea. In this regard, it is of vital importance that the juvenile age groups be given the strongest protection from being caught as bycatch in any fishery. There is at present no accepted assessment for Greenland halibut, mainly due to age-reading problems and lack of contrast in the data. However, indications from fishery independent surveys are that the stock has increased in recent years.
]]>Hooded and harp seals are both found in the West Ice and harp seals also breed in the White Sea. The most recent estimate for the West-ice group of harps seals is ~750 000 (2008) and the population is thought to be stable or increasing.
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The actual area is inhabited by 28 fish species which are either on the Global Red List (8 species), or on the Norwegian Red List (25 species). Among these 13 is DD species, i.e. no scaled evaluation can be done because of lack of knowledge, but the species would probably be on the red list if adequate information had been available.Barents Sea is inhabited by 26 species (taxons and populations) of sea mammals. Among these, 11 species are included in the International Red Book, 15 are included in The Red Book of Russian Federation (2001) and 9 are in the endangered-species list of Norway.
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These organisms entered the Barents Sea both in a natural way - through the expansion of habitat due to global warming, and as a result of human activities, related to the intentional or accidental introduction of alien organisms. There are currently 15 species considered introduced and invasive. ]]>
Fisheries are meant to influence the ecosystem by removing sustainable quantities of fish as food for humans. The fishery is, however, not considered sustainable if it impairs the recruitment of the fish stocks. Single species management often focuses on measuring the status of the fishery in relation to benchmarks called biological reference points (BRPs). The harvest rate and fishing pattern should hence fit with these biological requirements.]]>