Spatial and temporal dynamics of the demersal fish community in the Barents Sea

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The species composition and structure of the Barents Sea fish community is considered. Based on data from the Russian research surveys during 1998-2006 some types of the fish communities were revealed related to different environmental parameters (geographical position, water temperature, habitat depth). The northern Barents Sea fish community consists mainly of arctic species though mainly boreal species dominate in the southern Barents Sea. Deepwater community locates on the continental shelf slope (Greenland halibut, onion-eye grenadier, deepwater redfish, Arctic skate). Other species (like Atlantic spiny lumpsucker, shorthorn sculpin, Arctic staghorn sculpin) were more common only in shallow water communities. Some inter-annual changes related to water temperature were observed in the Barents Sea fish community. Due to water temperature increasing the portion of arctic species decreased and the portion of mainly boreal species increased.