Greenhouse effect in the Arctic: Global warming can disturb fishery

A temperature increase in the sea around Greenland can disturb the balance in the sensitive Arctic ecosystems, thereby affecting the marine food chain and hence fishery. This is one of the findings made using a new model for determining the effect of various temperature change scenarios on marine ecosystems. The model was developed on the basis of studies undertaken in the Disko Bight on the west coast of Greenland.

Disko Bight is an area with very variable ice cover and hence ideal for studying what happens to the ecosystem if the extent and duration of the ice cover changes. At the same time, Disko Bight is one of the most productive areas in Greenland. It is here that Greenlandic fishermen catch much of the fish and prawns that comprise 95% of the Greenlandic economy.

When it is known how the food chain is affected by temperature changes, it will be possible to manage fishery in a sustainable manner and hence maintain its importance for Greenlandic society.

The model predicts that the consequence of reduced ice cover as a result of global warming will be less food for the fish fry – and hence fewer fish. The consequences for the fish stock will depend on such factors as how quickly the Arctic ecosystem can adapt to changes in the climate, however.

Further information: Torkel Gissel Nielsen, National Environmental Research Institute. Phone: +45 4630 1200. E-mail: tgn@dmu.dk



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