Survey report from the joint Norwegian/Russian ecosystem survey in the Barents Sea : August-October 2003

The joint ecosystem survey carried out during the period 27th of July to 2nd of October 2003 encompasses various surveys that previously have been carried out jointly or at national basis in previous years. Joint investigations include the IMR/PINRO 0-group survey and acoustic survey for pelagic fish (also known as the capelin survey). Oceanographic investigations have always formed a part of both these surveys, and in recent years, studies on plankton and sea mammals have been included. In addition, a herring survey in the western parts of the Barents Sea and parts of the Norwegian Sea, a survey for bottom fishes in the western Barents Sea and a survey for young Greenland halibut north and east of Spitsbergen were also included in the ecosystem survey. The present report from the survey will cover many but not all the aspects of the survey. Main focus is on the hydrographical conditions of the Barents Sea, the results from the 0-group investigations and from the acoustic investigation on pelagic fish. Results from the investigations on plankton, bottom fishes and sea mammals will only be briefly mentioned, since the reporting of these investigations will have to await further working up of material in the laboratories. The report was made during a meeting between scientists participating in the survey, in Murmansk 3-9th October