New data on composition and structure of the Kara Sea ichthyofauna

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The Kara Sea is one of the northern Eurasian seas, which is completely covered by ice almost throughout the year. This peculiarity limits research activity in this area to a great extent and explains rather poor knowledge on composition and structure of the Kara Sea ichthyofauna. Only a few marine expeditions were conducted in the Kara Sea during the XX century. Comparatively comfortable ice conditions caused by recent warming period in the North Atlantic allowed taking observations in the Kara Sea and adjacent areas of the northeastern Barents Sea in summer period 2007-2008. New data on species composition and fish community structure of the Kara Sea were obtained from demersal and pelagic trawls. Totally 46 species were found in catches, including 5 new species for this area (Arctozenus risso, Benthosema glaciale, Myctophum punctatum, as well as commercially important deepwater redfish and Greenland halibut). So, the recent Kara Sea ichthyofauna list includes 70 fish species. Coldwater arctic species dominated the fish community. The most abundant species are polar cod Boreogadus saida and Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides. In addition, a number of non-target species such as Liparis fabricii, Lycodes pallidus, Triglops nybelini, Leptagonus decagonus, Gymnacanthus tricuspis and Liparis gibbus are abundant. Our results were compared to previous investigations