Wildlife of the Bering Sea

The explosive growth of the pollock fishery since the 1960s has been accompanied by steep declines of top predators in the pollock food web, including endangered steller sea lions, northern fur seals, pacific harbor seal. Steller sea lion populations in the Bering Sea and western Gulf of Alaska have dropped by about 80%.  In parts of the Gulf of Alaska, harbor seal numbers have dropped by as much as 90%. Unfortunately, the needs of other species are not taken into account while setting catch limits on fisheries in Alaska.

These ecosystems are undergoing a series of radical changes, with no apparent end in sight.   Take a moment to read about these amazing creatures, the unique ecosystems they survive in and the serious threats they are now facing.