What did scientists see during the eastern Bering Sea canyon survey?

2015

In the eastern Bering Sea several hundred miles from shore, the seafloor descends into the abyss. Most of the continental slope makes a gradual descent, but in several places, canyons interrupt the regular topography. The seafloor of the slope is primarily composed of sand, mud, gravel or other coarse materials. In recent years the advancement in technology has allowed us to peer deeper into the depths and study bottom dwelling creatures like corals. Because these species are vulnerable to fishing impacts, resource managers in Alaska were eager for scientists to use this technology to identify areas where corals were concentrated, particularly in relation to two eastern Bering Sea canyons -- Pribilof and Zhemchug. During the summer and fall of 2014, a team of NOAA Fisheries scientists conducted a research survey in the eastern Bering Sea. The team collected 225,000 (3-D) video images of the seafloor, the continental slope, and several underwater canyons at depths of around 300 feet to just over 2,600 feet. The collected images were analyzed to see if coral, sponges and sea whips occurred in the areas where they were expected to be seen, based NOAA Fisheries model predictions. The photos were also used to gather information on the height and density, or amount of coral found in various areas, to determine if fish and other commercially important crab species were using these areas as habitat. They were also able to document the presence and degree of fishing gear effects in the sampled areas. All of this information will help managers better determine if there are key areas that warrant protective measures.

NMFS

Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC)