Ecological characteristics and importance evaluation of fish species in the Arctic Alaska

In order to analyze ecological characteristics of Arctic fish species, based on scientific information available on Alaska Arctic marine fish ecology, the present study analyzes the ecological characteristics and importance of 104 fish species from the following aspects, i.e., depth distribution, trophic level, diel vertical migration, seasonal migration, and ecological, traditional culture and commercial importance. The results indicate that most of Arctic fish species studied are pelagic or mesopelagic and living in continental shelf or shelf slope shallower than 1 000 m. Most of the fish in the Arctic Alaska have diel vertical movements with daytime descending and nighttime rising. The trophic level of those species ranged from 3.0 to 4.5 and few fish species at higher or lower trophic levels. The importance of most of fish species is unknown and only a few fish species play a key role in the Arctic Alaska marine ecosystem, traditional culture and commercial fishery based on the data available. About half of fish species demonstrates either diel vertical migration or seasonal movement. Based on clustering analysis, 5 ecological groups contain 104 Arctic fish species, considering depth of distribution, diel vertical migration, seasonal movement and trophic level as variables; however, 3 importance groups can be identified with ecological, traditional culture and commercial importance as variables. The results from the present study can provide data support for further studying on ecology of Arctic fish species and exploitation potential evaluation of Arctic fish resources and also provide reference information for China’s participation in potential exploitation of Arctic fish resources and international negotiation.