Diving for Cod - Forschungstauchen und Fischen auf Spitzbergen

• Main Authors: Spotowitz, Lisa, Brand, Markus, Fischer, Philipp
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Arctic; Svalbard; atlantic cod; Global warming; Kongsfjord*; Kongsfjorden; polar night; Spitzbergen
• Online Access: https://epic.awi.de/id/eprint/50359/; https://hdl.handle.net/10013/epic.bb189777-ed9c-4fdf-810a-e1d6ad866155

The Arctic is a hotspot for anthropogenic global warming and especially Svalbard is strongly affected by increasing water temperatures. The Atlantification of the Arctic is characterized by a northward shift of boreal species like Atlantic cod towards colder habitats. The effects on the local fish community are still unclear. In addition, the warming leads to a possible relocation of spawning grounds whereby the Svalbard shelf could provide a potential new habitat and spawning ground. The assessment and sampling of fish in Svalbard waters is difficult due to the remote location, cold temperatures and polar night. The Svalbard underwater observatory installed in 2012 in Kongsfjorden provides the unique opportunity to deliver 24/7 near-real time data and imagery of the shallow water community. With the observatory it is possible to assess the water column in a depth between 11 m and the surface. As the shallow water is the main habitat for juvenile cod the year-round observation is of high interest. But also this system needs to be maintained throughout the whole year being affected by drift ice collisions or general biofouling. Therefore, scientific diving is essential for the maintenance of this installation. Challenges that have been overcome in year-round diving missions include cold temperatures, low visibilities and marine mammals like polar bears.