Cruise report and preliminary results of the acoustic / pelagic trawl survey off West Greenland for capelin and polar cod 2005. Technical Report No. 66

1 Cruise report and preliminary results of the acoustic/pelagic trawl survey off West Greenland for capelin and polar cod 2005 Technical report no. 66, 2007 Pinngortitaleriffik, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources 2 Title: Cruise report and preliminary results of the acoustic / pelagic trawl survey off West Greenland for capelin and polar cod 2005 Author(s): B. Bergstrøm & H. Vilhjalmarsson Serial title and number: Technical report no. 66 Publisher: Pinngortitaleriffik, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Date of publication: January 2008 Cover photo: Carsten Egevang ISBN 10: 87-91214-25-4 ISBN 13: 978-87-91214-25-7 ISSN: 1397-3657 Contact address: The report is only available in electronic format. You can download a PDF-file of the report at this homepage http://www.natur.gl/publikationer/tekniske rapporter It is possible to achieve a print of the report here: Pinngortitaleriffik, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources P.O. Box 570 3900 Nuuk Greenland Phone: +299 36 12 00 Fax: +299 36 12 12 E-mail: [email protected] www.natur.gl 3 Cruise report and preliminary results of the acoustic/pelagic trawl survey off West Greenland for capelin and polar cod 2005 by B. Bergstrøm & H. Vilhjalmarsson Technical report no. 66, 2007 Pinngortitaleriffik, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources 4 Eqqikaaneq Angalanermit nalunaarusiaq manna Kalaallit Nunaata Kitaani 2005-imi ammassat, uukkat kiisalu illeqqat qaamasartut misissuiffigineqarnerannit inernerugallartunik kiisalu misissuinermi periusaasunik imaqarpoq. Misissuineq september/oktober 2005-imi ingerlanneqarpoq, Kalaallit Nunaatalu ikkannersuani allorniusaq 73° Nmiit 60° N-p missaanut kiisalu Kitaani kangerluit ilaanni ingerlanneqarluni. Nipimik utersaartitsisarluni paasissutissanik katersineq ikerinnarmiillu misileragassanik katersineq immami miluumasut timmissallu imarmiut akulikissusaasa, qanoq siaruarsimatiginerisa assigiinngiiaassusaasalu nalilersorneqarnerannik akoqartinneqarpoq. Nipimik (38kHz aamma 120kHz) utersaartitsisarluni paasissutissat misissuiffinni kangianiit kimmut sammisuni 22 sømilinik akuttussusilinni, sinerissamiillu 3 sømilinik avasitsigisumiit kimmut 400 miiterinik itissusilimmiittumut katersorneqarput. Uumassusillit nipimik uteriartitsisartut takuneqartut suussusersiniarnerat kingunissalimmik ikerinnakkut kilisannikkut kiisalu planktoninik kilisannikkut iluaquserneqarpoq, imaanillu paasissutissat CTD-mik uuttortaanerit iluaqutigalugit katersorneqarlutik. Kangianiit kimmut titarnerni misissuiffiusuni imaani miluumasut timmissallu imarmiut alaatsinaaqatigiittunit marluiusunit ataatsikkut suussusersineqartarput kisinneqarlutillu. CTD-mik uuttortaanernit paasissutissat tunngavigalugit inerniugallartut ilimanarsitippaat imaq ”Tunumi sarfaminngaanneersoq” misissuiffiusumi tamarmi 73° N tikillugu naammattuugassaasoq, ”Atlantikumiilli immamit” kissartumit sunnerneqarneq 67-68° N-p missaannit annikilliartuaalerluni. Misissuiffigineqartup affaani avannarliusumi kissassuseq ataatsimoortoq annertoqisoq (3-4° C) septemberip naalernerani suli maluginiagassaavoq, misissuiffigineqartulli affaani kujalliusumi tamanna annikinnerujussuuvoq ilaatigullu allaat naammattuugassaasarani. Misissuiffigineqartup avannarpasinnerpaartaani (73-70° N) nalinginnaasumik uukkat (Boreogadus saida) aammalu kinguit (Themisto sp.) nassaarineqarput. Ikkannersuarni ammassaqanngilluinnangajappoq (Mallotus villosus), kangerlunnili tikinneqartuni kiisalu sinerissamut qanittuni (70-60° N-ip akornanni) peqarluni. Kangerlunni taakkunani sinerissamullu qanittumi ammassaqassuseq 170.000-200.000 tonsit missaanniissasoq nalilerneqarpoq. Misileraatit katersorneqartut angissutsinut agguataarnerisa nalilersoqqissaarnerisa ilimanarsitippaat aappaagumut suffisinnaasussat aammalu ukioq mannameersut piffissami misissuiffiusumi piffimmi misissuiffigineqartumi nassaassaanngilluinnangajattut. Kangerlunni sinerissamullu qanittuni aalisakkat naammattoorneqartut 1-2-nik ukioqarput. Piffiup annersaani illeqqat qaamasartut (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) akuttusuuni ataatsimoortorsuakkuutaat nassaarineqarput, 65° aamma 62° N-ip akornanni erseqqissumik amerlanersaallutik. 5 Saarulleeqqat (Gadus morhua) (ukioq manna tukertut), ilaanneeriarluni suluppaakkanik (Sebastes sp.) ukioq manna tukertunik ilaqartut Narsaliup Nanortallillu ikkannersuini (61°-60° N) akulikilluinnartumik naammattuugassaapput. Nalunaaquttap akunnerini 222-ini pilersaarutigineqartutut 195-eriarluni alaatsinaannerup ingerlanerani immami miluumasut ataasiakkaat 577-it takuneqarput. Arferit assigiinngitsut katillugit 13-it takuneqarput. Kitaata avataani salliutillugu misissuiffigineqartumut ingerlaarnerup nalaani arferit assigiinngiiaarnerpaaffiat Davis Strædemi Tunullu avataani naammattoorneqarput (arfernit assigiinngitsunit 13-iusunit assigiinngitsut 11 takuneqarlutik). Tikaagulliusaanik (Balaenoptera physalus) takusaqartarneq nalinginnaasumik sinerissamut qanittumi pisarpoq, amerlanersaat Qeqertarsuup Tunuata Sisimiullu akornanni, Nunap Isuata kitaani kiisalu Kong Frederik VI-ta sineriaata avataani Ammassalik tikillugu naammattoorneqarlutik. Tikaagulliusaat takuneqarfigisaanni tikaagulliit (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) takuneqarput. Qeqertarsuup Tunuata avannaani arfernik takusoqanngilaq. Qipoqqaat (Megaptera novaeangliae) sinerissamut ungasissumi sinerissamullu qanittumi takuneqarput. Arferit taakku taakkutuaapput kangerlunni takuneqartut, amerlanertigut kangerluit paaviniittarlutik. Angalanerup nalaani nalunaaquttap akunnerini 67-ini alaatsinaaffiusuni 400-riarluni 10 minutsinik sivisussusilinnik imaani timmissat alaatsinaanneqarput. Peqqissaartumik kisitsinerit nalaanni timmissat assigiinngitsut 34-it takuneqartut nalunaarsorneqarput, taakkunannga 27-t titarnerni misissuiffiusuni 300 miiterit iluini. qaninnerusumiillutik. Takuneqakulanerpaaq timmissanillu amerlanerpaasut tassaapput qaqulluit (Fulmarus glacialis) (titarnermi misissuiffiusumi 300 miiterit iluini takusat 2578-init amerlanerullutik), tullerivaat taateraat (Rissa tridactyla) (takusat=2132), appaliarsuit (takusat=1675) kiisalu appat (Uria lomvia) (takusat=347). Angalanerup nalaani piffissaq tamarluinnangajaat qaqulluit umiarsuarmut qanilluinnartut takuneqartuarput. Ilaanneeriarluni qaqulluit ima amerlatigisarput timmissanik taakkuninnga tulleriinnilersorluakkamik kisitsineq ingerlanneqarsinnaasarani, marloriaammik kisitsisinngortitsisoorsinnaaneq pissutigalugu. Sammenfatning Denne tekniske rapport indeholder de foreløbige resultater af og beskriver undersøgelsesmetoderne for 2005-kortlægningen af lodde, polartorsk og krill/lyskrebs i Vestgrønland. Kortlægningen foregik i september/oktober 2005 og dækkede det vestgrønlandske plateau fra 73° N til omtrent 60° N samt nogle vestgrønlandske fjorde. Indsamling af akustiske data og pelagisk prøveudtagning blev kombineret med vurdering af havpattedyr og søfugles tæthed, udbredelse og diversitet. Akustiske data (38 kHz og 120 kHz) blev indsamlet under E/W-transekter med cirka 22 sømils mellemrum i en afstand af cirka 3 sømil fra kysten og vest ud til 400 meterdybdekurven/isobathen. Bestemmelsen af de observerede lydafgivende organismer 6 blev faciliteret af målrettet pelagisk trawl og planktontrawltræk, og de hydrografiske data blev indsamlet ved hjælp af CTD-målinger. To separate observationshold identificerede og talte simultant havpattedyr og søfugle langs transekterne. De foreløbige resultater baseret på CTD-data tyder på, at vand fra den ”østgrønlandske strøm” var til stede i det samlede undersøgelsesområde til 73° N, mens indflydelse fra det varme ”atlantiske vand” begyndte at aftage omkring 67-68° N. Et meget stærkt varmekontinuum (3-4° C) kunne stadig konstateres i den nordlige halvdel af undersøgelsesområdet i slutningen af september, mens dette var langt mindre udtalt og endog fraværende visse steder i den sydlige del af det udforskede område. Generelt blev der fundet polartorsk (Boreogadus saida) og amfipoder (Themisto sp.) i den allernordligste del af undersøgelsesområdet (73-70° N). Lodde (Mallotus villosus) var stort set fraværende på bankerne, men nærværende i de besøgte fjorde samt tæt på kystområderne (mellem 70-60° N). Loddebiomassen i disse fjorde og tæt på kystområderne blev anslået til at befinde sig i størrelsesordenen 170.000-200.000 tons. En foreløbig analyse af størrelsesfordelingen i de indsamlede prøver tyder på, at både næste års gydningskomponent samt 0-gruppen praktisk talt udeblev i undersøgelsesområdet i det tidsrum, det blev udforsket. De fisk, der blev observeret i fjordene og tæt på kystområderne, var 1-2 år gamle. Der blev fundet krill/lyskrebs (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) i spredte sammenhobninger i det meste af området med en udtalt øget forekomst mellem 65° og 62° N. Ungtorsk (Gadus morhua) (0-gruppe), lejlighedsvis blandet med 0-gruppe-rødfisk (Sebastes sp.), optrådte med temmelig høj tæthed mellem Narsalikog Nanortalikbankerne (61°-60° N). Der blev foretaget 195 observationer af 577 individuelle havpattedyr i løbet af de 222 timers tilrettelagte observationer. I alt blev der observeret tretten hvalarter. Den største hvaldiversitet blev observeret i Danmark Strædet og ud for Østgrønland (11 ud af de 13 hvalarter) under overfarten til det primære undersøgelsesområde ud for Vestgrønland. Generelt blev observationer af finhvaler (Balaenoptera physalus) indsamlet i kystområderne, hvoraf kerneområderne befandt sig mellem Diskobugten og Sisimiut, vest for Kap Farvel og ud for Kong Frederik VI‟s kyst op til Ammassalik. Vågehvaler (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) blev observeret i de samme områder som finhvalerne. Der blev ikke observeret nogen hvaler nord for Diskobugten. Der blev observeret pukkelhvaler (Megaptera novaeangliae) både ud fra og ind mod kysterne. Denne art var den eneste, der blev observeret inde i fjordene, for det meste tæt på fjordens udmunding. Der blev foretaget næsten 400 søfugleobservationer af ti minutters varighed i løbet af de 67 observationstimer, der samlet blev foretaget på togtet. Der blev registreret 34 fuglearter, hvoraf 27 blev observeret inden for 300 meter-transektbåndet under de systematiske optællinger. Den hyppigst forekommende og talrigeste art var 7 mallemuk (Fulmarus glacialis) (n>2578 i 300 meter-transektbåndet) efterfulgt af ride (Rissa tridactyla) (n=2132), søkonge (n=1675) og polarlomvie (Uria lomvia) (n=347). Der blev set mallemukker tæt på skibet næsten kontant på hele togtet. Af og til var der så mange mallemukker omkring skibet, at systematiske optællinger af denne fugleart ikke lod sig gøre på grund af risikoen for dobbelttælling. Summary This cruise report gives preliminary results and describes survey methods for the 2005 West Greenland survey for capelin, polar cod and krill. The survey was carried out in September/October 2005 and covered the West Greenland plateau from 73°N to about 60° N and some West Greenland fjords. Acoustic data collection and pelagic sampling was combined with assessment of density, distribution and diversity of marine mammals and seabirds. Acoustic (38 Khz and 120 KHz) data were collected during E/W transects spaced at about 22 nautical miles between a distance of approximately 3 nautical miles from the coast and west out to the 400 m isobath. Identification of observed sound scattering organisms were aided by targeted pelagic trawl and plankton net hauls and hydrography data was collected by CTD casts. Two separate observer teams simultaneously identified and counted marine mammals and sea birds along the transects. Preliminary results based on CTD data indicate that “East Greenland Current” water was present throughout the entire survey area to 73°N, while the influence of the warm “Atlantic water” began to decline around 67-68°N. A very strong thermo cline (3-4°C) still persisted in the northern half of the study area in late September, while it was much less pronounced and even absent in places in the southern part of the investigated area. Generally polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and amphipods (Themisto sp.) where found in the northernmost part of the survey area (73-70° N). Capelin (Mallotus villosus) was virtually absent on the banks but present in the visited fjords and near shore areas (between 70-60° N). The capelin biomass in these fjords and near shore areas was estimated to be between 170-200 thousand tonnes. A preliminary analysis of size distributions in the obtained samples indicates that both next year‟s spawning component as well as the 0-group were virtually missing in the survey area during the investigated period. Fish observed in the fjords and near shore areas were 1 and 2 years old. Krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) were found in scattered aggregations in most of the area with a pronounced increased prevalence between 65° and 62° N. Juvenile cod (Gadus morhua) (0-group), occasionally mixed with 0-group redfish (Sebastes sp.), occurred in fairly high densities between the Narsalik and Nanortalik banks (61°-60°N). 8 One hundred and ninety-five sightings were made of 577 individual marine mammals during 222 hours on-effort observations. Thirteen whale species were sighted in all. The largest diversity of whales was observed in the Denmark Strait and off East Greenland (11 of the 13 cetacean species) during transit to the main survey area off West Greenland. Generally fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) sightings were aggregated in the offshore areas, with the core areas being between Disko Bay and Sisimiut, west of Kap Farvel and off King Frederik VI‟s coast up to Ammassalik. Minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) were observed in the same areas as the fin whales. No cetaceans were observed north of Disko Bay. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were observed both off and in-shore. This species was the only species observed inside the fjords, usually close to the mouth of the fjord Almost four hundred ten-minute observation periods for seabirds were carried out during the cruise-totalling 67 observation hours. Thirtyfour bird species were recorded of which 27 were observed within the 300 m. transect band during the systematic counts. The most common and numerous species recorded was Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) (n>2578 in the 300 m. transect band) followed by Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) (n=2132), Little Auks (n=1675) and Brünnich‟s Guillemots (Uria lomvia) (n=347). Fulmars were seen near the ship almost all the time during the cruise. Occasionally Fulmars occurred in such large numbers around the ship that systematic counts of this species was impossible, due to the risk of double counting. 9 16 scientific personnel the Bongo worked properly in 14 out of 15 stations done during the first leg of the cruise. However while launching the net at the first Bongo station during the second leg it was noticed that the Bongo frame was bent -a problem that caused the net to operate in an inadequate fashion. This problem was promptly rectified and no further problems were encountered. Except for 3 stations in the beginning of the survey where a GLORIA trawl (GPT) was used, samples of pelagic fish and micro-nekton were collected by a 16x16 fm „Harstad‟ type pelagic trawl (HPT) (cod end 10 mm mesh but with the distal 5-6 m lined with 5mm mesh). This trawl, which has a vertical opening of 10 m at normal towing speeds of 2.5-3 knots, was used from 15 m below the surface to a distance of 5-10 m from the seabed during the survey. Bridle length was 83 m. This type of trawl has been used as standard gear in Icelandic 0-group surveys for a number of years (Vilhjalmsson and Fridgeirsson, 1976; Sveinbjörnsson and Helgason, 1987; Sveinbjörnsson and Hjörleifsson, 2003) but in these the entire cod was fitted with a 5 mm mesh. Trawling (targeted hauls) was done at a speed of 2.5-3 knots over ground in locations where echograms indicated either dense or changing concentrations of organisms. When such signs were absent, at least one haul per east/west transect was carried out with the exception of in the northern area where next to no backscattering was observed. The HPT is not a particularly good quantitative sampling tool, since catch rate may vary with e.g. currents and size range of the fish/micro nekton present in the water column. This holds especially true for krill and other micro-necton, that are normally sampled with relatively large mouthed nets, such as IKMT (Isaac Kidd Midwater Trawl) MIK net (Methot-Issac Kidd net) or RMT 8 (Rectangular Midwater Trawl) having a mesh size of 0,5-1,0 mm. Despite this lack of adequate sampling gear for micro nekton the weight proportion of different species in the catches are presumed to roughly reflect the relative abundance of species at each station. Comparisons can off course only be made between stations in this survey and it should be bourn in mind that especially for krill the smaller size groups are under represented in the catches due to the large mesh size. The sizes of the total catches from the pelagic trawl were estimated by volume directly on deck. In cases when catches were large i.e. over about 70 litres they were split into equal portions. Subsequently one portion was picked at random and weighed in portions. This cumbersome ad hoc procedure was motivated by the lack of a suitable scale on board. The only scales available could handle a maximum load of 1.5 kg. When large organisms such as large scyphozooans (jellyfish) were present 17 in the catch these were picked out from the total catch and treated separately. When necessary, species total weight was obtained through adequate sub-sampling. We recorded individual lengths and weights from sub-samples of capelin selected at random and also collected otoliths from sub-samples of 25-50 individuals for subsequent analysis at the GINR and MRI laboratories. Also the length of polar cod was recorded, as were lengths of few other species of commercial interest (e.g. Greenland halibut, redfish, lumpsucker and cod). Samples of all these species were frozen to allow further processing ashore. Sub-samples of the most important species of micro-nekton were either deep frozen or preserved in formaldehyde for analyses at the GINR laboratory in Nuuk 2.2.4. Preliminary analysis of acoustic data: Two types of analyses or preparations of the acoustic data have been performed so far. The objective of the first type is to estimate the biomass of capelin and polar cod and possibly other species in locations where acoustic backscatter emanating from these were recorded. The objective of the second type of analysis is to provide a basis for comparison of the spatial distribution of potential prey as recorded by acoustic backscatter and the observed distributions of seabirds and marine mammals. The following account describes the procedures applied to preparing the acoustic raw data for these two purposes and also explains the content of data files stored on the GINR server. A detailed inventory of the data sets collected during and generated from the survey material is given in Appendix III. Data concerning krill will be subject to separate analysis in cooperation with the US Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program at the Southwest Fisheries Centre, La Jolla, USA that are leading experts on this type of analyses. “TOTAL-EXPORT”: BI500 data from EK60 were read into EchoView for more detailed analysis. For convenience, files consisting of approx. 5 days of registrations from the 38kHz and 120kHz transceivers were selected. A threshold of –70dB was used on both frequencies. Bad data regions were defined on the basis of the 38kHz echogram and those definitions were applied in the integration of the 120kHz echoes. In order to enable a more detailed analysis of near-surface registrations from specific areas (daytime, with birds utilizing organisms in the epipelagic layer, good/bad weather conditions, unknown registrations suspected to derive from biological organisms near the surface, where sets of bongo or trawl hauls failed to give indications of their origin, an additional export was made with a grid resolution of 0.5 nm x 1 m, excluding data above 3 m from the transducer and below 50 m and the portions of the echogram defined as bad above 3 m (propeller noise when stopping at and leaving stations, bottom artefacts and 'other noise created by station activities. 18 The remaining acoustic data were integrated over bins of 0.5 nm x 5 m. This procedure allows estimation of total backscattering strength along transect lines for comparison with counts of bird species with different diving range for feeding. “RAW-EXPORT”: For comparison between the old BI500 and new “EchoView”- interpretetion softwarethe data below 5 meters and above BI500 bottom were integrated over the same grid resolution without excluding the registrations defined as 'bad' above. “SURFACE-EXPORT”: For eventual comparison possibilities, the data below 5 meters and above BI500 bottom were integrated over the same bins without excluding the registrations defined as 'bad' above. Acoustic data registered during trawling or sampling with the bongo net, were excluded from the analysis of “total along transect backscatter strength”, except in case of capelin, shrimp, krill and 0group fish. A time -varied threshold was applied on the 120kHz echogram to remove noise at long range. 2.3. Preliminary results and tentative conclusions 2.3.1. Hydrography Two main North Atlantic water masses govern the oceanographic conditions off West Greenlandthe cold and less saline waters of the East Greenland Current and the warmer more saline water in the Irminger Current (e.g. Buch et al 1994). The East Greenland Current passes Cape Farewell, then runs north along the west coast of Greenland and exerts a major influence in the topmost 100-150 meters of water along the entire coastline. The underlying warmer water of the Irminger Current may somewhat affect the cold east Greenland water above, by mixing and heat diffusion. The Irminger current is generally diverted westward across the Davis Strait at 6668°N. The East Greenland current provides the main transport mechanism for fish fry and larvae irrespective of whether these derive from spawning off SE-, S-, SWor W-Greenland – or even as far off as Sand W-Iceland waters. An exception is the fry of redfish that come from farther offshore areas in the warm Atlantic water of the Irminger Sea. These main hydrographical features are clearly visible in the horizontal temperature and salinity patterns (Figures 6-12) from different depths observed during the present survey, albeit the data points are too few for any detailed analysis. Thus we can follow the East Greenland Current throughout the entire survey area to 73°N, while the influence of the warm Atlantic water begins to decline around 67-68°N. Apart from this expected pattern, a noteworthy feature of the hydrographical situation was the presence of a very strong thermocline (3-4°C), still persisting in mid-September in the northern half of the study area, while it was much less pronounced and even absent in places in the southern part. 19 2.3.2. Biology Total weights of and the weight of dominating taxa in pelagic trawl catches obtained during the survey are given in Table 2, Appendix II. Generally, based on the acoustic records and catches in the associated targeted hauls polar cod and amphipods (Themisto sp.) where found in the northernmost part of the survey area (73-70° N). Capelin was found chiefly in the 5 fjords and near shore areas (between 70-60° N) that were visited. Krill (mostly Meganyctiphanes norvegica) were found in most of the area but with a pronounced increased prevalence between 65° and 62° N as compared to the area north of 65° N were only scattered aggregations occurred. Juvenile cod (0-group), occasionally mixed with 0-group redfish (Sebastes sp.), occurred in fairly high densities between the Narsalik and Nanortalik banks (61°-60°N). More detailed information on the distribution of these and some other taxa will be given and tentatively discussed below. 2.3.3. Capelin: Capelin biomass was estimated using the same protocol as in Icelandic capelin survey work (Vilhjalmsson, 1994; Vilhjálmsson and Carscadden, 2002). Following this procedure biomass estimates are based on the mean of 1 nmi averages of area backscatter density (NASC). We did not find any indication of a substantial offshore population, in the surveyed area during the covered period despite that larger, (age 3+) capelin were caught earlier in the year (July/August 2005) with shrimp trawl during the GINR northern shrimp assessment survey. During the survey we only found adult capelin in three locations offshore. The northernmost area was just north of the Vaigat. In this location the pelagic trawl was operated very close to the bottom (station # 671). Secondly we caught capelin in two hauls prompted by weak indications on the echo sounder (not integrated) on the shelf area midway between the Godthaab fjord and Kvane fjord. Instead we found larger amounts of capelin in near shore areas (northern entrance to the Vaigat, south eastern part of Disko Bay and off Sisimiut) and in the visited fjords (the Godthaab, Kvane, Arsuk and Tasermiut fjords). The results from NASC estimations in these 7 coastal/fjord areas are shown in Figures 13-18, Appendix I. These estimates were made according to the following procedure. In echograms, sections assumed to contain capelin was delimited by a drawn border and all registrations inside these borders were assumed to emanate from capelin. Note that registrations during trawl station operations were included in this analysis in order not to waste data. This approach can be debated, however we believe that by excluding recordings made during trawling or in preparation for trawling would be wasteful since generally only a small amount of the survey effort could be spent in 20 the fjords. Exclusion of registrations during these operations or otherwise not accounting for the difference in coverage would reduce the number of observations considerably and lower the estimates of area density in an unrealistic way. Subsequently the mean back-scattering cross-section and mean weight of capelin in catches from in each of the areas area were used to convert NASC to biomass density. Results from these calculations are summarized in Appendix II, Table 3. The total biomass estimate in these near-shore and fjord areas adds up to some 170200 thousand tonnes. Naturally this only represents the areas covered in this survey and thus must be only some fraction of the total capelin biomass in West Greenland waters. Also judging by the size distribution shown in Figure 20, Appendix I, the survey must have missed by far the largest part of next year‟s spawning component. Since the present survey is the first attempt to give a biomass index estimate there are no earlier data to compare with. However in order to give some tentative indication of the order of magnitude of the amount of Capelin we found during the present survey it may be noted that Jákopsstovu and Røttingen (1975a and b) tentatively suggested that the stock size of Capelin in Greenlandic waters may be between 250 000 and 1 000 000 tonnes. Kanneworff 1988 estimated the size of the off shore portion in East Greenland waters to be 229 000 tonnes. This portion was assumed to be a part of the Icelandic stock at that time. The Icelandic stock was in 1988 estimated to exceed 2 million tonnes (Kanneworff 1988). In West Greenland waters, capelin spawn and grow in the many and varied fjords or fjord complexes (e.g. Friis-Rødel and Kanneworff, 2002 and references therein). Since the planned objective of the survey was to investigate pelagic occurrence of capelin on the extensive shelf area from Cape Farewell to 73°N, there was little time for exploration and proper abundance assessments inside fjords. The only fjord that was planned to survey beforehand was in fact the Godthåbfjord while the other fjords were visited due to a need to seek shelter from adverse weather. Nevertheless, brief investigations were made of in total 7 near shore and or fjords systems We found Capelin in all of these areas. The highest densities were registered in SE-Disko Bay, Amerloq and the outer reaches of the Nuuk fjord system (Table 3, Appendix II and Figures 13-19, Appendix I). Preliminary ageing of capelin based on the size distributions in the obtained samples indicates that most of the oldest and largest fish (next year‟s spawning component) were missing (see Fig. 20). Furthermore, average size in samples declines from north to south. This is a phenomenon that is well known locally as well as from the literature (Hansen, 1943; Kanneworff, 1967 and Sørensen, 1985). Surprisingly, we did not find any 0-group capelin anywhere in the surveyed area. Haul by haul length frequency distributions 21 (LFD) from the present survey have been produced and are kept in the GNRI database. Although knowledge of the life history of capelin in West Greenland waters is fragmentary, feeding migrations into offshore areas are mentioned in most of the literature (e.g. Friis-Rødel and Kanneworff 2002 and references therein). Furthermore, these authors found the highest numbers of capelin, caught in northern shrimp surveys (aggregate map for 1988-2000 in Friis-Rødel and Kanneworff 2002), at the outer edge of the shelf, while the highest numbers in the 2005 survey were caught closer to the coast and in or near the gullies cutting transversely through the shelf (GINR, unpublished). Although no capelin were found over the West Greenland shelf during the present survey, this fact does not disqualify the notion of offshore feeding migrations in summer. On the contrary, capelin catches in northern shrimp surveys corroborates the notion of such migrations. The obvious scope for further work is to describe these possible migratory pattern(s) both in time and space and to investigate to what extent –both in biomass terms and in demographic terms how different parts of -or the entire capelin stock migrates. These are all pertinent questions concerning the behaviour of the capelin stock during its life cycle that need answering. Most researchers (e.g. Friis-Rødel and Kanneworff, 2002 and references therein) are of the opinion that the West Greenland capelin complex consists of many stocks or sub-populations, each occupying their own fjord or fjord system. In view of what is known of neighbouring beach spawning capelin populations of Labrador and Newfoundland, and indeed elsewhere, this is a reasonable proposition. In southern areas, these capelin spawn in May-June at the entrances of their respective fjords but also sometimes further out along the coasts as the surface temperature rises during summer. Farther to the north spawning takes place later, i.e. in June-July. While juveniles seem to grow inside the fjords or fjord systems, adolescents (next year‟s spawning stock) as well as some spent females migrate out of the fjords for feeding in summer. This is well documented, while the offshore distance and timing of the return migrations remain unclear. Earlier research indicated that these feeding migrations were mainly limited to the eastern (shoreward) side of the shelf while later observations (mainly catches of large capelin in northern shrimp surveys) show that in summer capelin migrate at least as far out as to the shelf break. Furthermore, an acoustic abundance assessment survey varied out by the Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway in June-July 1974 showed that the outward migration had begun already by mid-to late June south of about 65°N, but was delayed to the second week of July in most areas further north. The same survey showed that by the 22 third week of July the outer limit of capelin distribution had reached the shelf break in most places south of 66°N (Jákupsstovu and Røttingen, 1975). Capelin by-catches in northern shrimp trawl surveys off West Greenland, mainly in the month of August over the years 1988-2000, shows the highest incidence of capelin on the outer shelf or at the shelf break. While the 2005 shrimp survey also recorded large capelin, the catch distribution was more irregular and the largest catches were not taken in the westernmost stations. The presence of capelin only in near shore areas or fjords shown by our results may not be uncharacteristic. A similar situation to the one we observed is often found during northern shrimp surveys in deeper waters north of Iceland. However, in this case it is known that most of the adult capelin stock is distributed farther north and only a minor proportion usually remain in the shrimp distribution area (Vilhjalmsson 1994, 2002). Since this survey covered none of the deep water areas west of the West Greenland shelf break, we can neither confirm nor reject the concept that the adult stock migrates right across the shelf to feed in summer/autumn in the deep waters of the eastern Davis Strait. Irrespective of this however, if a capelin fishery, even on a small scale for human consumption, is to be successfully established, an assessment of the biomass of next year‟s spawning stock has to be obtained well in advance. There are two main reasons for this: a) the fishermen must know where and when it is the right time to catch capelin for the various products and b) the exploitation effort must be directed so that it has a minimal effect on stock abundance in the various fjord systems. An experiment of establishing a West Greenland capelin fishery for reduction to fishmeal and oil does not seem feasible. In the first place, the combined biomass is probably too small and divided into too many units that each would have to be managed separately. Second, a viable fishery for reduction depends on cheap raw material that must be supplied on a large and relatively steady basis throughout the year. Based on the present survey results it is not unlikely that also other near shore or fjord systems on the West Greenland coast may contain an unknown quantity of capelin. Also the present survey did not cover the shelf-break area deeper than 400 meters and it is not possible to exclude the possibility based on the present study that the component of the capelin stock that will spawn the following year may be found in the deeper part of the shelf-break. Further directed surveys covering all of these three potential habitats for capelin i.e. the fjords, the banks and the shelf break area, may give more conclusive answers to these questions. 23 2.3.4. Polar cod: Except for high numbers of 0-group (5 cm total length) fish in the surface layer north from about 68°N (offshore as well as in Disko Bay/Vaigat; Fig.20), no polar cod was found in the pelagic zone. This suggests either that the main population of polar cod, i.e. age 1 and older, is much more demersal in West Greenland waters than in other areas, e.g. the Barents Sea. If this is the case, bottom trawl catches of polar cod from the GINR northern shrimp survey could be used for relative or even realistic estimates of biomass and geographical distribution. Alternatively, the adolescent and adult part of the population may occupy deeper waters outside of the West Greenland shelf, at least during the time of this survey. If this holds true the size of the stock will have to be assessed by acoustics there. Another, less likely explanation; may be that since this species is known to feed on amphipods, at the ice edge and under the ice, may be distributed in pack ice covered areas. In this case the stock is inaccessible to any established assessment protocol. However this scenario is less likely in the northern Davies Strait/southern Baffin Bay area than in e.g. the northern Barents Sea, since there is generally very little pack ice left in the former area during September. 2.3.5. Redfish: Pelagic O-group redfish were mainly recorded and sampled, occasionally in large numbers (about 10 000/nautical mile) close to the shelf edge from about 61°N to the end of the survey area at Cape Farewell. North of Nuuk however only a few 0-group redfish were found in the near bottom layer at the offshore slope. This agrees with previous findings that settling of this species is not completed before later in the year. In addition a few older redfish were found here and there in the pelagic trawl catches during the survey, but mostly inside the fjords, in particular the Godthåbfjord. 2.3.6. Atlantic cod: We generally found 0-group cod in increasing amounts southward from Nuuk (about 64° N) towards Cape Farewell in the pelagic trawl catches. A few 0-group cod were also found in the surface layer of the Godthåb fjord, in particular near the mouth of the fjord. Further south, beginning just outside Kvane fjord (61°02N; 49°32W), we again recorded 0-group cod. From there, south to Cape Farewell, 0-group cod were recorded in mid water, sometimes in fairly high numbers (up to 7000 per 1 nm tow), and often mixed with 0-group redfish. The northern distribution limit of these cod is uncertain because bad weather prevented sampling for some 50 miles north of the first station with 0-group cod. Assuming that the 0-group cod distribution reached some 20 nm farther north than actually recorded, the length of their distribution area was approximately 180 nautical miles. Due to the low number of trawl stations the width of this potential 24 distribution area is difficult to judge and this is also true for the average density. These 0-group cod were in places mixed with a few 0-group haddock, which indicates -that most likely, they originated from spawning grounds off South and/or Southwest Iceland. The catches of 0-group cod in the HPT are shown in Figure 22. If we assume the average width of the distribution area to be 10 nautical miles, the total distribution covers some 1800 square nautical miles. A non-stratified average catch per 1 nm tow is 659. Using the method for calculating Icelandic indices of 0group cod, the distribution area along the West Greenland coast gives an index of about 120. While this is by no means a high abundance index, we should bear in mind that the standard Harstad trawl used was not equipped with the usual 5 mm mesh size cod-end, but only equipped with an inside lining of such net for some 3 fathoms up from the opening of the cod-end. This will have reduced the “catchability” of 0-group cod considerably, but there is no available information to quantify such a reduction. The caught 0-group cod seemed to be in good physical condition with an average weight of just under 2.7 g in the northern part of the area and 2.2 g closer to Cape Farewell. Although the observed 0-group cod probably constitutes a good base for a 2005-year class of commercial importance off Southwest Greenland at present, it must be borne in mind that survival through the first winter is a critical determinant of the final size of a cod year class. 2.3.7. Notes on other fish, invertebrate nekton and zooplankton: 0-group and juvenile stages of several demersal fish species were frequently found in the surface layer, i.e. Greenland halibut (as far north as 73°N) and Sand eel, Ammodytes (relatively high numbers north from 67°N) especially close to the coast. This agrees with previous findings that settling of these species is not completed before fairly late in the year. Northern shrimp of all sizes were occasionally found in the surface layer during night in areas where a pronounced thermocline was absent. In other areas, however, neither the echo signals nor the pelagic trawl catches indicated that northern shrimp left the bottom layer to a higher degree during nighttimes. Pelagic trawl catches from 10 to 20 m above the bottom however revealed a mixture of shrimp and krill. The pelagic trawl catches indicated that small squid (juvenile Gonatus fabricii, appr. 24 cm mantel length) were widely distributed in the area (incl. Disko Bay and Amerloq fjord). These squid occurred at all depths, but most commonly in the surface layer. In addition to juveniles, a few larger specimens (14-17cm ML) were found in the Godthåbsfjord at intermediate depths (together with redfish, Sebastes 25 mentella). Cursory gut analyses of both squid and redfish revealed that they had capelin in their stomachs. Large patches of copepods (mixed with some amphipods and krill) were seen in particular in the northern part of the Sukkertoppen Deep while krill seemed to be more abundant on the southern part of the Store Hellefiske Bank and in the Holsteinsborg Deep. Krill was also found within the Godthåbsfjord and further south along the coast. Detailed analyses on krill distribution and abundance will be carried out based on the acoustic data set. 2.4. References: Buch, E., S. AA. Horsted, and H. Hovgård 1994. Fluctuations in the occurrence of cod in Greenland waters and their possible causes. ICES Mar, Sci. Symp. 198: 158-174 Foote, K.G., H.P. Knudsen, D.N. MacLennan and E.J. Simmonds, 1987. Calibration of acoustic instruments for fish density estimation: A practical guide. Coop. Res. Rep. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer. 144: 69 pp. Foote, K.G., H.P. Knudsen, R.S. Korneliussen, P.E. Nordbø and K. Røang, 1991. Post processing system for echo sounder data. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 90, 1: 37-47. Friis-Rødel, E. and P. Kanneworff, 2002. A review of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in Greenland waters. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 59: 890-896. Hollingworth C.E. 2002 (ed.) Capelin-What are they good for? Biology, Management, and the Ecological Role of Capelin, Proceedings of an ICES Symposium held in Reykjavik, Iceland 23-27 July 2001, ICES Journal of Marine Science, Vol. 59, no 5, October 2002 Jákupsstovu, S.H. i and I. Røttingen, I. 1975. Undersøkelser av lodde (Mallotus villosus) og sil (Ammodytes sp.) ved Vest-Grønlandi juni-juli 1974. Fiskets gang, 11: 155-160. Kanneworff, P., 1967. Mallotus villosus (O.F. Müller). Biologi og dynamikk i grønlandske farvannde. Thesis. Grønlands Fiskeriundersøgelser. 103 pp. Kanneworff, P. 1988. Loddetogt, Østgrønland, September 1988. (Capelin survey, East Greenland, September 1988. Internal report, Grønlands Fiskeri Fiskeriundersøgelser, Copenhagen . 7.10.1988. 10pp 32 Figure 7: Salinity and temperature distribution at 5 m of depth off West Greenland during September-October 2006 33 Figure 8: Salinity and temperature distribution at 20 m of depth off West Greenland during September-October 2006 34 Figure 9: Salinity and temperature distribution at 50 m of depth off West Greenland during September-October 2006 35 Figure 10: Salinity and temperature distribution at 100 m of depth off West Greenland during September-October 2006 36 Figure 11: Salinity and temperature distribution at 200 m of depth off West Greenland during September-October 2006 37 Figure 12: Salinity and temperature distribution at 300 m of depth off West Greenland during September-October 2006 38 Figure 13. Back scatter density (NASC) of capelin (Mallotus villosus) at the north east entrance to the Vaigat sound September 2006. 39 Figure 14. Back scatter density (NASC) of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in the eastern part of Disko Bay September 2006 40 Figure 15. Back scatter density (NASC) of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in Amerdloq (south of Sisimiut) September 2006 41 Figure 16. Back scatter density (NASC) of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in the Godthaab Fjord September 2006 48 in pelagic trawl hauls Appendix II. Tables for section 2 Table 1. Station list. The total number of stations is 132 of these 54 are Pelagic trawl (GPT and HPT) stations, 20 are Bongo net Stations and 58 CTD stations. Station # Date Gear GMT start GMT stop Haul duration (min) Lat. start Long. Start Lat. stop Long. stop Haul Length (N. miles) Bottom depth start (m) Bottom Depth Stop (m) Operation Depth Start (m) Operation depth Stop (m) 661 Sep 03 GPT 07:50 08:07 17 660490 292060 660460 291808 0.6 260 260 662 Sep 08 GPT 18:20 18:30 10 640200 521430 640160 521960 0.6 120 125 663 Sep 10 GPT 22:59 23:14 15 730020 575900 730030 575920 1.2 272 272 16 16 664 Sep 10 CTD 23:10 730027 575922 272 665 Sep 11 GPT 06:04 06:19 15 723681 584999 723614 585298 1.2 206 216 15 20 666 Sep 11 CTD 08:50 721500 601400 403 667 Sep 11 GPT 16:28 16:43 15 721480 565230 721460 564840 1.4 266 266 16 15 668 Sep 11 CTD 17:20 721520 564400 260 669 Sep 12 HPT 00:00 00:15 15 715250 580260 715260 580613 0.7 276 276 8 12 670 Sep 12 CTD 00:30 715279 580717 276 671 Sep 12 HPT 07:35 08:05 30 712952 580176 712909 575701 2 286 285 265 270 672 Sep 12 CTD 08:30 712948 575478 282 673 Sep 12 HPT 19:38 20:08 30 710716 582688 710629 582233 1.6 369 369 10 15 674 Sep 12 CTD 20:27 710623 582103 369 675 Sep 13 CTD 01:11 704495 594947 475 676 Sep 13 HPT 05:58 06:28 30 704468 572784 704443 573225 1.7 506 503 180 200 677 Sep 13 CTD 06:45 704411 573354 503 678 Sep 13 HPT 09:50 10:05 15 704497 561672 704487 561944 1 573 573 10 14 679 Sep 14 CTD 10:55 702272 542394 341 680 Sep 14 HPT 12:14 12:30 16 702200 540800 702360 541120 0.9 220 235 681 Sep 14 Bongo 19:40 19:52 12 695607 515277 695570 515364 0.5 402 524 260 260 682 Sep 14 CTD 20:02 695561 515369 527 683 Sep 15 HPT 18:02 18:25 23 685825 511538 685857 511743 0.8 265 265 110 200 49 684 Sep 15 CTD 18:49 685854 511979 247 685 Sep 16 Bongo 00:33 00:43 10 684406 513981 684420 514109 0.5 282 278 25 30 686 Sep 16 CTD 00:51 684419 514129 277 687 Sep 17 HPT 11:02 11:23 21 693742 581521 693750 581835 1.1 298 298 8 12 688 Sep 17 CTD 11:36 693734 581853 298 689 Sep 17 Bongo 14:23 14:33 10 691951 583175 691964 583339 0.6 398 409 25 30 690 Sep 17 CTD 15:02 691946 583441 418 691 Sep 17 Bongo 23:26 23:36 10 691469 542072 691441 541951 0.5 220 220 150 145 692 Sep 17 CTD 23:50 10 691443 541838 206 693 Sep 18 Bongo 08:02 08:07 5 685276 565625 685280 565524 0.3 270 270 694 Sep 18 CTD 06:22 685321 565403 263 695 Sep 18 HPT 22:57 23:20 23 683004 550340 682969 550634 1.2 430 430 195 135 696 Sep 18 CTD 23:36 682944 550653 432 697 Sep 19 Bongo 00:08 00:18 10 682950 550472 682970 550349 0.5 422 422 100 100 698 Sep 19 CTD 13:08 680746 575810 402 699 Sep 19 HPT 19:40 20:10 30 674501 564720 674506 565094 1.3 209 209 40 42 700 Sep 19 CTD 20:22 674499 565152 212 701 Sep 20 Bongo 00:16 00:21 5 674565 550317 674592 550348 0.3 36 37 28 10 702 Sep 20 CTD 00:30 674606 550358 36 703 Sep 20 Bongo 07:55 08:15 20 672247 555468 672276 555179 1.1 100 98 15 20 704 Sep 20 CTD 08:25 672284 555105 100 705 Sep 20 HPT 11:44 12:01 17 672240 571495 672262 571160 1.2 224 224 40 60 706 Sep 20 CTD 12:20 672296 571109 219 707 Sep 20 HPT 17:42 17:57 15 665866 562946 665956 562917 1.2 287 287 240 260 708 Sep 20 CTD 18:15 670010 562915 279 709 Sep 20 Bongo 18:53 18:58 5 670029 563139 670014 563205 0.3 296 319 270 270 710 Sep 20 HPT 20:24 20:34 10 665991 560676 665994 560797 0.6 139 129 5 8 711 Sep 20 Bongo 23:14 23:19 5 670003 545990 665986 550026 0.4 59 59 5 10 712 Sep 20 CTD 23:29 665982 550051 68 713 Sep 21 HPT 12:53 13:18 25 665412 533175 665423 533430 1 370 370 104 120 714 Sep 21 CTD 13:35 665420 533514 320 715 Sep 21 HPT 19:36 19:53 17 663706 541933 663734 541765 1 309 309 7 10 716 Sep 21 CTD 20:23 663737 541684 306 50 717 Sep 22 Bongo 00:03 00:08 5 663748 552582 663730 552633 0.3 163 163 50 60 718 Sep 22 CTD 00:15 663701 552652 164 719 Sep 22 Bongo 05:04 05:09 5 661745 562845 661773 562851 0.2 444 447 115 112 720 Sep 22 CTD 05:20 661812 562867 446 721 Sep 22 HPT 10:23 661514 542981 65 18 722 Sep 22 CTD 11:00 661497 542635 65 723 Sep 22 Bongo 11:10 11:20 10 661551 542708 661570 542750 0.4 62 62 16 17 724 Sep 22 HPT 16:47 17:17 30 655278 543607 655289 543162 1.8 110 110 15 15 725 Sep 22 CTD 17:30 655200 543126 100 726 Sep 22 HPT 22:12 22:42 30 654531 554403 654637 554633 1.4 519 519 512 510 727 Sep 22 CTD 23:23 654656 554760 523 728 Sep 23 HPT 12:55 13:18 23 650738 534002 650756 533767 1 83 83 5 12 729 Sep 23 CTD 13:28 650753 533665 82 730 Sep 23 HPT 20:27 20:51 24 644530 544980 644393 545006 1.4 280 280 265 265 731 Sep 23 CTD 21:10 644342 544978 280 732 Sep 24 Bongo 02:35 02:40 5 644489 525086 644491 525162 0.3 319 367 100 100 733 Sep 24 CTD 02:55 644492 525303 416 734 Sep 24 Bongo 04:47 04:52 5 643413 523843 643441 523848 0.3 480 574 90 90 735 Sep 24 CTD 11:37 642253 545585 540 736 Sep 24 HPT 18:03 18:43 40 635976 525152 640003 525698 2.2 69 69 11 11 737 Sep 24 CTD 19:17 640014 525980 69 738 Sep 25 HPT 06:07 06:27 20 634775 522887 634747 523165 1.3 31 38 12 12 739 Sep 25 Bongo 06:47 06:57 10 634771 523215 634821 523163 0.6 37 39 15 18 740 Sep 25 CTD 10:58 640699 515293 351 741 Sep 25 Bongo 11:17 11:40 23 640695 515308 640631 515481 1 358 357 0 348 742 Sep 25 HPT 11:57 12:14 17 640650 515647 640683 515444 1 373 373 10 15 743 Sep 25 HPT 12:49 13:10 21 640686 515390 640720 515233 1 367 367 185 190 744 Sep 25 HPT 16:39 16:52 13 642599 512713 642555 512871 0.8 386 386 10 15 745 Sep 25 CTD 17:08 642518 512963 611 746 Sep 25 HPT 18:09 18:24 15 642478 513190 642514 512962 0.6 616 616 310 390 747 Sep 25 HPT 21:36 21:49 13 643263 505088 643292 505263 0.8 584 584 30 25 748 Sep 26 HPT 11:26 11:41 15 641890 511500 641961 511536 0.8 423 423 6 14 749 Sep 26 HPT 12:07 12:22 15 641951 511540 641881 511468 0.8 426 426 110 120 51 750 Sep 26 Bongo 12:40 12:55 15 641870 511521 641849 511677 0.8 426 426 0 250 751 Sep 26 CTD 13:00 641848 511680 400 752 Sep 28 CTD 02:20 631488 524035 1335 753 Sep 28 CTD 05:35 631517 514517 122 754 Sep 28 Bongo 10:28 10:50 22 625375 510018 625310 505697 1.6 245 215 755 Sep 28 HPT 11:34 12:01 17 625317 505880 625230 505751 1 260 310 230 235 756 Sep 28 CTD 12:45 625229 505812 316 757 Sep 28 HPT 22:22 22:45 23 623162 510769 623059 510883 1.3 231 231 80 92 758 Sep 28 CTD 23:08 623010 510950 218 759 Sep 29 CTD 04:25 620753 502067 304 760 Sep 29 HPT 13:12 13:24 12 620078 492589 620008 492659 0.7 170 170 155 160 761 Sep 29 CTD 13:45 615984 492698 235 762 Sep 29 HPT 14:16 14:47 31 615844 493033 615798 493456 2 446 446 15 14 763 Sep 29 CTD 15:03 615784 493555 395 764 Sep 29 HPT 22:42 23:05 23 620536 505959 620447 505932 1 977 977 40 50 765 Sep 29 CTD 23:20 620434 505915 860 766 Oct 01 HPT 11:26 12:08 42 610971 481371 611189 481416 2 703 100 120 767 Oct 01 HPT 12:41 13:23 42 611130 481376 610920 481296 2 580 580 300 370 768 Oct 01 CTD 13:45 610945 481343 574 769 Oct 01 Bongo 14:17 15:07 50 610984 481336 611209 481438 2.3 435 410 0 350 770 Oct 01 HPT 22:09 22:29 20 610202 493260 610125 493376 1.1 188 210 165 178 771 Oct 01 HPT 23:12 23:32 20 610192 493333 610111 493411 1 200 200 99 115 772 Oct 01 CTD 23:54 610056 493434 434 773 Oct 02 HPT 06:12 06:30 18 602406 482170 602492 482325 1 244 237 80 110 774 Oct 02 CTD 07:00 602551 482411 212 775 Oct 02 HPT 07:20 07:38 18 602549 482395 602493 482323 0.8 216 240 90 90 776 Oct 02 HPT 09:06 09:24 18 602117 481180 602161 481364 1 194 195 120 120 777 Oct 02 CTD 09:55 602078 481106 196 778 Oct 02 HPT 12:53 13:15 22 601494 472609 601503 472896 1.4 138 141 90 120 779 Oct 02 CTD 13:47 601509 473024 140 780 Oct 02 HPT 16:22 16:47 25 601492 464747 601495 465008 1.2 339 339 100 120 781 Oct 02 CTD 17:24 601471 465035 493 782 Oct 02 HPT 20:27 20:47 20 595463 462636 595571 462684 1 868 868 60 65 52 783 Oct 02 CTD 21:00 595624 462705 692 784 Oct 02 HPT 23:41 00:00 19 595277 455758 595207 455927 1 133 133 80 90 785 Oct 03 CTD 00:22 595173 435878 137 786 Oct 03 HPT 07:31 07:52 21 600941 454667 600904 454855 1 151 145 60 60 787 Oct 03 CTD 08:02 600890 454900 133 788 Oct 03 HPT 12:52 13:07 15 601112 445500 601073 445658 0.7 353 353 110 130 789 Oct 03 HPT 14:03 14:21 18 601022 450214 601006 450048 1 320 320 305 310 790 Oct 03 CTD 14:42 601009 450012 362 791 Oct 03 HPT 21:29 21:57 28 594239 445770 594165 445628 1 131 131 70 80 792 Oct 03 CTD 22:15 594149 445591 126 Table 2: “CPUE index” (kg/min) for dominating taxa in pelagic trawl catches obtained during the 2005 West Greenland acoustic Capelin survey. Station # Gear Date (2005) Start GMT Haul duration (min) Capelin (Kg/min) Polarcod (Kg/min) G. Halibut (Kg/min) 0-group Cod (Kg/min) Haddock(Kg/min) Sebastes. sp 0-group (Kg/min) Sand eel (Kg/min) Myctophids (Kg/min) Pandalus CPUE ((Kg/min) Krill & Mysids(Kg/min) Amphipoda (Kg/min) Cephalopoda (Kg/min) Scyphozoa (Kg/min) Total catch (Kg/min) 662 PT1 8-Sep 18:20:00 10.00- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 663 PT1 10-Sep 22:59:00 16.00 - 0.07 - - - - - - - - 0.18 - - 0.26 665 PT1 11-Sep 06:04:00 15.00 - 0.01 - - - - - - - 0.01 0.01 - - 0.08 667 PT1 11-Sep 16:28:00 15.00 - 0.27 - - - - - - - - 0.05 - - 0.39 669 PT2 12-Sep 00:00:00 15.00 - 0.01 - - - - - - - - - - - 0.01 671 PT2 12-Sep 07:35:00 30.00- - - - - - - - - 0.23 - - - - 0.29 53 673 PT2 12-Sep 19:38:00 3.00- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.01 676 PT2 13-Sep 05:58:00 30.00- - 0.05 0.05 - - - - - 0.02 0.01 0.01 - - 0.16 678 PT2 13-Sep 09:50:00 15.00 - 0.02 - - - - - - - - - - - 0.02 680 PT2 14-Sep 12:14:00 16.00 0.32 - - - - - - - 0.45 - - - - 0.77 683 PT2 15-Sep 18:02:00 23.00 0.45 0.01 - - - - - - 0.08 - - - - 0.56 687 PT2 16-Sep 11:02:00 21.00 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 695 PT2 18-Sep 22:57:00 23.00 0.01 - - - - - - - 0.06 0.02 0.02 - - 0.11 699 PT2 18-Sep 19:40:00 30.00- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 705 PT2 20-Sep 12:14:00 30.00- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 707 PT2 20-Sep 17:42:00 15.00 - - 0.01 - - - - - 0.36 0.27 - 0.01 - 0.66 710 PT2 20-Sep 20:24:00 10.00- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 713 PT2 21-Sep 12:53:00 25.00 3.00 - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 715 PT2 21-Sep 19:36:00 17.00 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 721 PT2 22-Sep 10:22:00 20.00- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 724 PT2 22-Sep 16:47:00 30.00- - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.10 0.1 726 PT2 22-Sep 22:12:00 30.00- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.01 728 PT2 23-Sep 12:55:00 23.00 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 730 PT2 23-Sep 20:27:00 24.00 - - - - - - - - 0.10 1.54 - 0.02 0.21 1.87 736 PT2 24-Sep 18:02:00 41.00 - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.01 0.01 738 PT2 25-Sep 06:07:00 20.00- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.04 742 PT2 25-Sep 11:57:00 17.00 0.02 - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.07 743 PT2 25-Sep 12:49:00 11.00 3.64 - - - - - - - - - - 0.01 - 3.65 744 PT2 25-Sep 16:39:00 13.00 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 746 PT2 25-Sep 18:09:00 15.00 - - - - - - - - - 0.05 - - - 2.19 747 PT2 25-Sep 21:36:00 13.00 4.51 - - - - - - - - - - 0.01 - 4.51 748 PT2 26-Sep 11:26:00 15.00 0.01 - - - - - - - - - - - 0.27 0.27 749 PT2 26-Sep 12:07:00 15.00 0.33 - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.49 755 PT2 28-Sep 11:34:00 27.00 0.13 - 0.05 - - - - 0.01 0.65 1.81 0.13 0.01 - 2.79 757 PT2 28-Sep 22:22:00 23.00 - - - - - - - - - 1.87 - - - 1.88 54 760 PT2 29-Sep 13:12:00 12.00 0.13 - - - - - - - - 0.60 - - - 0.73 762 PT2 29-Sep 14:16:00 31.00 0.56 - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.57 764 PT2 29-Sep 22:42:00 23.00 - - - - - - - 0.73 - 0.73 - - 0.72 2.17 766 PT2 1-Oct 11:26:00 42.00 0.47 - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.49 767 PT2 1-Oct 12:41:00 42.00 - - 0.03 - - 0.12 - - - 0.02 - 0.01 0.13 0.31 770 PT2 1-Oct 22:09:00 20.00- - - - 0.01 - 0.08 - - - - - 0.01 0.13 0.23 771 PT2 1-Oct 23:12:00 20.00- - - - 0.09 - 0.14 - - - 0.01 - - 0.04 0.28 775 PT2 2-Oct 07:20:00 18.00 - - - 0.09 - 0.06 - - - - - - 0.01 0.17 776 PT2 2-Oct 09:06:00 18.00 - - - 0.01 - 0.77 - - - 0.01 - 0.03 - 0.83 778 PT2 2-Oct 12:53:00 22.00 - - - - - 0.02 - - - 0.04 - - - 0.06 780 PT2 2-Oct 16:22:00 25.00 - - - 0.36 - 0.01 - - - - - 0.01 0.15 0.53 782 PT2 2-Oct 20:27:00 20.00- - - - 0.05 - - - - - - - 0.01 0.06 0.12 784 PT2 2-Oct 23:41:00 19.00 - - - 0.03 - - - - - 0.01 - - 0.02 0.05 786 PT2 3-Oct 07:31:00 21.00 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.01 788 PT2 3-Oct 12:52:00 15.00 1.66 - - - - - - - - - - - 0.04 1.77 789 PT2 3-Oct 14:03:00 18.00 0.01 0.04 - - - - - - - 0.28 0.03 - 0.36 0.89 791 PT2 3-Oct 21:29:00 28.00 - - - 0.01 - - - - - 0.09 - - - 0.11 Table 3. Biomass estimates for capelin in near shore and fjord environments during the 2005 West Greenland Acoustic Capelin Survey Area Number of 1 nmi observations Mean NASC (m2/nmi2) Maximum NASC (m2/nmi2) Mean capelin area density (t/nmi2) Maximum capelin area density (t/nmi2) Mean target strength (dB) Mean weight (g) Vaigat 14 170 531 28.3 88.2 -52.4 12.8 Disko 34 1379 15507 233.8 2575.5 -55.0 6.6 Amerloq (south of Sisimiut), 34 851 2509 98.4 290.0 -55.6 4.0 Godthåb fjord 196 1154 11720 170.2 1729.4 -54.9 6.0 Kvane fjord 45 776 2460 102.2 324.1 -55.2 5.0 Arsuk fjord 72 495 3493 52.2 368.1 -55.2 4.0 Tasermiut fjord 27 262 1002 42.0 160.6 -53.8 8.4 56 Table 4. Scientific cruise participants Name Adress e-mail Tlf./Fax Sofie Ruth Jeremiassen Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Box 570 3900 Nuuk [email protected] 321200/321212 Bo Bergström, Assistant cruise leader, leg 2 Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Box 570 3900 Nuuk [email protected] 321200/321212 Malene Simon, Head of marine mammal group Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Box 570 3900 Nuuk [email protected]l [email protected] 550563 321200/321212 Sigurdur Tor Jonsson Marine Research Institute Skulagata 4, 105 Reykjavik [email protected] +354 5752000 direct +354 5752093 fax +354 5752101 Bjorn Sigurdarson Marine Research Institute Skulagata 4, 105 Reykjavik [email protected] +354 5752000 direct +354 5752158 fax +354 5752101 Nina Eriksen Forsk. Lab Bispebjerg Hospital Bispebjerg bakke Dk-2400 Kbh NV [email protected] +45 61713141 Anna–Sofie Stensgaard DBL-healthe.and Per Jægersborg Alle 1D 2930 Charlottenlund DK [email protected] +45 26297650 Hjalmar Vilhjalmsson, Cruiseleader leg 1 and 2 Hafrannsoknastofnunin Marine Research Institute Reykjavik [email protected] [email protected] +354 5752000 direct +354 5752 fax +354 5752101 Henrik Knudsen Naturama Svendborg Dronningmaen 30 5700 Svendborg Danmark [email protected] Marianne Rasmusen Valdemarsgade 2’ 5000 Odense C Danmark [email protected] +45 61673073 +354 6958846 Kaj Wieland, Assistant cruiseleader leg 1 Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Box 570 3900 Nuuk [email protected] Henning Mathæussen Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Box 570 3900 Nuuk Jens Nyeland, Head of bird group Naturama Svendborg Dronningmaen 30 5700 Svendborg Danmark [email protected] Appendix III. Section 2: Instrumentation and sampling gear Pelagic trawl for sampling of echo recordings Type: Harstad 16x16 fm with 83 m bridles. Mesh size in codend 10 mm, with a covering of 5 mm mesh netting, reaching about 5-6 m up from the bottom. Vertical opening: 10 m at a towing speed of 2.5-3 knts. Range: From 15 m from surface to 5-10 m from bottom. Acoustic instrumentation: Echo sounder: Simrad ER60 Transducer: ES38B Frequency: 38 kHz Beamtype: Split Gain: 24.50 dB Sa correction: -0.56 dB 2-way beam angle: 20.70 dB Angle sensitivity: Along: 21.90; Athwart: 21.90 Offset: Along: 0.10°; Athwart: 0.06° Beamwidth: Along: 7.60°; Athwart: 7.02° Pulse duration: 1024 µsec. Sampling interval: Variable Power: 2000 w Receiver bandwidth: 2.43 kHz Transducer: ES 120-7 Frequency: 120 kHz Beamtype: Split Gain: 26.86 dB Sa correction: -0.73 dB 2-way beam length: 20.50 dB Angle Sensitivity: Along: 21.00; Athwart: 21.00 dB Angle Offset: Along: 0.43°; Athwart: 0.08° 3-dB Beam width: Along: 6.73°; Athwart: 7.02° Pulse duration: 256 µsec. Sampling interval: Variable Power: 500 w Receiver Bandwidth: 8.71 kHz Transducer: ES18-11 Frequency: 18 kHz Beamtype: Split Gain: 22.99 dB Sa correction: -0.65 dB 64 Figure 1. Sightings of fin whale (red) and minke whale (blue). 65 Figure 2. Sightings of humpback whales (blue), blue whales (red), sei whales (green), bowhead or northern right whale (purple) and unidentified large whales (yellow). Figure 3. Sightings of sperm whales (blue), pilot whales (orange), white sided dolphins (green), white beaked dolphins (magenta), killer whales (yellow) and unidentified beaked whale (purple). 66 Figure 4. Sightings of seals. 3.4. Discussion The largest diversity of cetaceans was observed in the Denmark Strait and off East Greenland‟s coast where 11 of the 13 cetacean species were seen. Fin whale sightings were often aggregated in offshore areas, with the core areas being between Disko Bay and Sisimiut, west of Kap Farvel and off King Frederik VI‟s coast up to Ammassalik. Minke whales were observed in the same areas as the fin whales. No cetaceans were observed north of Disko Bay Humpback whales were observed both off and in-shore. It was the only species of large baleen whales, observed inside the fjords, usually close to the mouth of the fjord (Figure 2). We expect to be able to calculate a population estimate for fin whales and humpback whales. Unfortunately there were too few observations of minke whales to make an estimate for that species. 3.5. References Buckland, S.T., Anderson, D.R., Burnham, K.P., Laake, J.L., Borchers, D.L. and Thomas, L. (2001). Introduction to Distance Sampling. Estimating abundance of biological populations. Oxford University Press. 67 4. Seabirds Jens Nyeland & Henrik Knudsen, Naturama, 5700 Svendborg, Denmark 4.1. Objective To study the spatial and temporal distribution of seabirds in relation to their potential prey species Capelin and Krill. 4.2. Methods Observations were made from a large wooden “box” (H: 145 cm, D: 180 cm, L: 226 cm) fitted with a windshield. The observation “box” was placed on the roof of the ship‟s bridge 10.3 m above sea level. Counts of birds were conducted in 10-minute periods in a band 300 m wide on one side of the ship following Tasker et al. (1984) and Webb & Durinck (1992). Here all birds (species and numbers) were recorded. Observations were carried out during daylight hours whenever weather conditions allowed. For each 10minute observation period we recorded start and stop time (local Greenland time) and start and stop GPS position (with hand held GPS´) of the observation, precipitation, sea ice, wind speed and direction and visibility. Further, non-systematic observations were carried out on a regular basis during the whole cruise. 4.3. Preliminary Results and Discussion Almost four-hundred ten-minute observations were carried out during the cruise covering 67 observation hours. A total of 34 bird species were recorded of which 27 were observed within the 300 m. transect band during the systematic counts (Table 1.). The most common and numerous species recorded was Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) (n>2578 in the 300 m. transect band) followed by Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) (n=2132), Little Auks (Alle alle) (n=1675) and Brünnich‟s Guillemots (Uria lomvia) (n=347). Fulmars were seen near the ship almost all the time during the cruise. Occasionally Fulmars occurred in such large numbers around the ship that made systematic counts of this species impossible, due to the risk of double counting. Fulmars occur in various colour morphs from a white/light face to a dark brown face. Our results showed c. 1% dark birds (n=1144) north of 66°N which was significantly fewer compared to the 5% dark birds (n=309) that was found south of this latitude (Chi2 = 1293.3, df=1, with Yate‟s correction). In the Disko Bay region 3% dark birds were seen (n=102). Kittiwakes were also seen in large numbers and were most common south of 68°N. We divided Kittiwake recordings into age groups; i) adults and 2nd year birds and ii) 1st year birds. There was no clear latitudinal distribution in the proportion of i) and ii). The vast majority of Kittiwake recordings were adults and 2nd year birds. The overall proportion of 1st year birds was only c. 1.5%. Little Auks were the most numerous alcid species. It was usually recorded near the edge of the shelf and on the Banks in accordance with Falk & Durinck (1996). They occurred most commonly between 67°N and 70°N. 68 Most Brünnichs Guillemots were observed south of 68°N with highest concentrations in the most southerly part of the cruise; i.e. 61°N-62°N. Often a large adult bird was associated with a smaller bird, most likely an adult male with it‟s offspring. Two species of Skuas were recorded; Pomarine (n=6) and Arctic Skua (n=15) and eight unidentified Skuas (Pomarine or Arctic). Pomarine Skuas do not breed in Greenland and those seen are likely to be of Canadian origin. Contrary, the origin of the Artic Skuas is more unclear since they breed both in Canada and Greenland. Apart from Kittiwakes the most numerous gull species seen was Iceland Gull (n=345), which was mostly seen in the fjords and close to land. Contrary, Glaucous Gull (n=309) was both seen near the coast but also furthest off shore. No King Eiders were observed during the systematic counts and only 11 were seen during the un-systematic counts. Store Hellefiske and Fyllas Banks are known to be important wintering sites for this species (Boertmann et al. 2004) however, and the ships‟ transect route did cover parts of these areas. Therefore, significant numbers of King Eiders may not have arrived at to the banks at the time of the cruise. Relatively few Common Eiders were seen (n=325). The highest number observed was a flock of c. 300 birds in Godthåbsfjorden. Godthåbsfjorden is an important wintering area for Common Eiders and the birds recorded may be over wintering birds arriving early. Only six recordings of Sooty Shearwaters have been documented prior to the present cruise (Boertmann 1994). Sooty Shearwaters are seen around Iceland regularly and it is therefore likely that this species also occur in Greenland waters on a regular basis but is not recorded. Six Common Scoters were seen; a species that has never been officially recorded in Greenland before. The acoustic Capelin and Krill survey offered an outstanding opportunity to map the distribution of seabirds off west Greenland during autumn and to study the relationship between seabirds and their potential prey species. However, the latter part of the project has not yet been done. During September the marine waters off west Greenland support a diverse group of seabirds (Durinck & Falk 1996, this study). Some Greenland breeders are leaving (i.e. Kittiwakes and Fulmars), some stay for the winter (e.g. some of the Brünnichs Guillemots and Eiders) and some foreign birds arrive to spend the winter in these waters (Brünnichs Guillemots, King and Common Eiders) (Salomonsen 1967, Lyngs 2003). Hence, the distribution pattern of the birds may have reflected this very dynamic time of the year. 69 The surface feeders Fulmars and Kittiwakes leave Greenland waters to spend the winter at more southerly latitudes (Lyngs 2003). This may reflect that their particular prey species are absent from the uppermost layers during the coldest months in winter. During our cruise both of these species were present in large numbers suggesting that large concentrations of their prey was still available. However, already in early November most Fulmars and Kittiwakes have left Greenland waters (Lyngs 2003). 4.4. References Boertmann, D. 1994. An annotated check list to the birds of Greenland. Meddr. Grønland, Biosci. 38, 63 pp. Boertmann, D. P. Lyngs, F. Merkel & A. Mosbech (2004). The significance of Southwest Greenland as winter quaters for seabirds. Bird Conservation International 4: 87-112. Durinck, J. & K. Falk (1996). The distribution and abundance of seabirds off southwestern Greenland in autumn and winter 1988-1989. Polar Research 15: 23-42. Lyngs, P. (2003). Migration and winter ranges of birds in Greenland; an analysis of ringing recoveries. Dansk Orn. Foren. Tidsskr. 97, 167 pp. Salomonsen, F. 1967. Fuglene på Grønland. Rhodos, København. 341 pp. Tasker, M.L, P.M. Jones, T. Dixon & B.F. Blake. (1984). Counting seabirds at sea from ships: a review of methods employed and a suggestion for a standardized approach. Auk 101: 567-577. Webb, A. & J. Durinck. (1992). Counting birds from ship. In J. Komdeur, J. Bertelsen & G. Cracknell (Eds.): Manual for Aeroplane and Ship Surveys of Waterfowl and Seabirds. IWRB Spec. Publ. 19, Slimbridge, UK, 37 pp. Table 1. Number of observations of each of the different bird species recorded within the 300 m transect and during non-systematic recordings. – Indicates no data. Latin English Greenlandic Danish Total number of birds in 300 m transect band Total number of birds (incl. nonsystematic recordings) Gavia immer Great Northern Diver Tuullik Islom 2 3 Fulmarus glacialis Northern Fulmar Qaqulluk Mallemuk >2578 - Puffinus gravis Great Shearwater Qaqullussuaq Storskråpe 0 2 Puffinus griseus Sooty Shearwater - Sodfarvet skråpe 7 11-13 Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant Oqaatsoq Skarv 0 20 Anser albifrons Greenland Nerleq Grønlandsk 0 5 70 flavirostris White-fronted Goose blisgås Branta/Anser sp. Goose sp. - Gås sp. 0 5 Anas Platyrhynchos Mallard Qeerlutooq Gråand 0 5 Somateria mollissima Common Eider Miteq Ederfugl 325 350 Somateria spectabilis King Eider Miteq siorakitsoq Kongeederfugl 0 11 Melanitta nigra Common Scoter - Sortand 6 8 Clangula hyemalis Long-tailed duck Alleq Havlit 0 12 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle Nattoralik Havørn 0 7 (ad.) Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon Kiinaaleeraq Vandrefalk 1 1 (2K) Falco rusticolus Gyr Falcon Kissaviasuk Jagtfalk 2 2 (1 lys, 1 grå) Calidris maritima Purple Sandpiper Saarfaarsuk Sortgrå Ryle 3 6 Phalaropus fulicarius Grey Phalarope Kajuaraq Thorshane 0 2 Phalaropus lobatus Red Phalarope Naluumasortoq Odinshane 5 12 P. fulicarius/lobatus Phalarope sp. Kajuaraq/ Naluumasortoq Svømmesneppe sp. 8 12-13 Stercorarius pomarinus Pomarine Skua Isunngarsuaq Mellemkjove 6 26 Stercorarius parasiticus Arctic Skua Isunngaq Almindelig kjove 15 16 S. Pomarinus/parasiticus Pomarine/Arctic Skua Isunngarsuaq/ Isunngaq Mellem/Alm. kjove 8 5 Common Gull - Stormmåge 1 1 Larus argentatus Herring Gull - Sølvmåge 0 5 Larus smithsonianus American Herring Gull - Amerikansk sølvmåge 0 1 (1K) Larus marinus Great Blackbacked Gull Naajarluk Svartbag 74 - Rissa tridactyla Black-legged Kittiwake Taateraaq Ride 2132 - Larus hyperboreus Glaucous Gull Naajaurujussuaq Gråmåge 309 - Larus glaucuides Iceland Gull Naajaannaq Hvidvinget måge 345 - Sterna paradisaea Arctic Tern Imeqquaalaq Havterne 4 15 Alle alle Little Auk Appaliarsuk Søkonge 1675 4927 Fratercula arctica Atlantic Puffin Qilanngaq Lunde 12 34 Cepphus grille Black Guillemot Serfaq Tejst 22 72 Úria aalge Guillemot Appa sigguttooq Atlantisk lomvie 2 2 Uria lomvia Brünnich‟s Guillemot Appa Polarlomvie 347 1055 Alca torda Razorbill Apparluk Alk 1 1 Alcid sp. Unidentified alcid - Alkefugl sp. 42 70 Anthus rubescens Buff-bellied Pipit Kussattarnaq Hedepiber 0 2 71 Corvus corax Raven Tulugaq Ravn 4 1 Carduelis flammea Redpoll Orpimmiutaq Gråsisken 2 2 Plectrophenax nivalis Snow Bunting Qupaloraasuk/Qupannaaq Snespurv 2 3