Survey report from the joint Norwegian/Russian ecosystem survey in the Barents Sea August-October 2006, Volume 1

The main aim of the ecosystem survey was to map the distribution and abundance of the young and adult stages of several demersal and pelagic fish species, and in addition to gather information about hydrographical features, zooplankton, benthos, seabirds and sea mammals. The water temperature in all observed areas was higher (+0.5-1 °C) than the long term mean and somewhat higher than in the same period 2005. The 2006 year-class of capelin, haddock, herring, long rough dab and sandeel are rich. 0-group of eastern component of polar cod is near the average level. The 2006 cod and redfish year-class is below than average. 0-group of Greenland halibut, saithe, western component of polar cod, wolffishs and Gonatus were estimated as poor. The total capelin stock was estimated near 0.8 million tonnes, which is 2.4 times higher than last years estimate. About 0.44 million tonnes were assumed to be maturing. The polar cod stock was estimated to be 1.9 million tonnes, which is 0.14 million tonnes higher than last year, but by numbers it was two times lower then in 2005. Juvenile Norwegian spring spawning herring was estimated in the southern part of the Barents Sea to be 0.643 million tonnes. Blue whiting of age groups 1 to 14 were observed in the western and southwestern parts of the surveyed area, and the biomass of this stock component was estimated to be 0.770 million tonnes