Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Deep-water bottom fish diversity in central Baffin Bay and off Southern Greenland (1500-4000 m)  (Arctic-Atlantic Deep-water bottom fish diversity)

Outline
Although the marine bottom fish fauna in the waters around Greenland has been investigated for more that 150 years a few completely “white” areas still exist. In order to get a continuous knowledge of the diversity and distribution of the fish fauna from the Nares Strait, around southern Greenland to the Denmark Strait, we suggest a bottom-trawling project in the central Baffin Bay in depths from 1500 to 2500 m and off southernmost Greenland in depths from 1500 to 4000 m. From 1987 to 2004, the applying institutions have been involved with the exploration of both commercial fishing resources and the general fish diversity on the upper continental slope (400-1500 m) in the Baffin Bay, Davis Strait and Denmark Strait. These surveys have provided valuable new knowledge about commercial species such as Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) and grenadiers (Macrouridae), and a much better insight in the fish diversity. More than 50 species have been added to the check-list of Greenland and eastern Canadian fishes, and 6 species new to science have been described from the area. In contrast to the enhanced effort on the upper slope, the deeper continental slope (> 1500 m) has been left untouched, mainly due to technical limitations. The IPY will be a fantastic opportunity to get access to the some of these deep “white areas” in the Greenland/ eastern Canadian Arctic. We therefore suggest that about 3 weeks of bottom-trawling and CTD measurements are conducted – in the autumn 2007 or 2008, with a total of about 100 trawl hauls and baited photo-trap settings. Combined with recent surveys, this effort will provide an uninterrupted overview of the diversity and distribution of the fish fauna from the Nares Strait via southernmost Greenland to the Denmark Strait. It will make a base-line for the study of future changes in the Arctic fish fauna; a change which is already happening. It is very likely that several new species for Greenland and Canada will be caught during the cruise, as well as a few species new to science. Many deep-water Bottom fishes are spectacular and fascinating animals, which are obvious to use in publics outreach activities during the IPY, e.g. when explaining the consequences of climatic chance

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The project has relations to the overall international themes: Status, Change and Global Linkage and to the national themes: Arctic climate – Variability, change and impact.The deep-water bottom fish faunas off southern Greenland and Baffin Bay are strongly influenced by the climate and climatic change. In 2004, 16 bottom fish species were recorded further to the north than previously, indicating that changes in distribution are already happening in depths < 1500 m. In order the register changes in the deepest part of Greenland and Canadian Arctic waters, we need to get basic information of the now completely unknown fish fauna.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project is a collaboration between Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Nuuk, Greenland (GINR); Danish Institute for Fisheries Research (DIFRES). and Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The plan is to fish in the central, deep (1500-2400 m) part of the Baffin Bay between West Greenland and eastern Canada (70-74° N, 61-70° W); and off Southern Greenland in depths from 1500 to 4000 m (57-63° N, 37-52° W).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 08/2008 – 10/2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The project will need an Ice strengthened research vessel, with capabilities of fishing down to 4000 m. The vessel can be used as platform for other projects, but the total time needed will then be extended.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will significantly add to the scientific collections incl., tissue bank at the Zoological Museum University of Copenhagen. This “infrastructure” will be available for scientists and for educational purposes for next about 200 years.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

No national research vessel can fish at the suggested depths. There is, however, plans to rebuild R/V Dana for the Galathea expedition in 2006-2007, so that it can fish in deep waters. It can perhaps be chartered for the current project in 2007-08. Alternatively, another research vessel can be chartered.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
no

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?


The project is basically a new autonomous activity, but it builds on a series of annual surveys down to 1500 m, conducted by GNRI, DFO and others from 1987 to 2004 in areas adjacent to the once here suggested. These activities will be continued also after 2008.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organized, so that each partner is responsible for different duties. DIFRES and GNRI will be in charge of the technical part (vessel, trawls ect.), ZMUC for the sorting, identification and preservation of material.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
A daily trilingual (English, Greenlandic and Danish) cruise report will be available on the homepages of one or several partners, showing the remarkable diversity of deep-sea fishes and their special adaptations to Arctic and deep waters. Traps and trawls equipped with cameras will be used to secure live pictures.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The collected specimens will be stored at ZMUC and will be available for students and scientists at all levels. Information about the collected specimens will be available on the GBIF portal and on the ZMUC homepage. All data will be shared equally between the partners.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
It is expected that the main funding will be from a national funding agency. Additional funding for minor subprojects will be provided by the involved institutions and private foundations.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Peter Rask Møller
Organisation Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen.
Universitetsparken 15
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø
Denmark

Tel: 0045 35321070
Mobile: no
Fax: 0045 35321010
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation