Fauna of the Baffin Bay

A sea of the Arctic Ocean that borders the Labrador Sea of the Atlantic Ocean and washes the western coast of Greenland. The sea is 1,130 km long from north to south. Surface water temperatures in summer range from 0°C in the northwest to 5°C in the southeast. The water entering the Baffin Sea from the Arctic Basin has a salinity of 30 to 32.7 ‰, and a surface temperature of -2 °C in winter and up to 5 °C in summer. At depths of 400-600 m, the temperature is 1 °C, salinity 34.5 ‰. Water circulation is mainly counterclockwise: in the east, along the coast of Greenland, relatively warm and salty Atlantic water moves northward; in the west, off the coast of Baffin Land, a cold, less salty current carries water from the Arctic Ocean. The climate is arctic with frequent storms, especially in winter. The ice cover reaches Hudson Strait by the end of October. In winter, 80% of the bay is covered with ice. Some winters it freezes completely. Ice is most abundant in March and least abundant in August through September. In summer, drift ice remains in the central and western parts. During this time, many icebergs form and are transported with the ice to the Atlantic Ocean near Newfoundland. Against the background of solid ice in the central part of the sea, an extensive ice-free area in the north stands out, probably caused by the influence of the warm West Greenland Current - North Water polynya.

Common Inhabitants of Baffin Bay

Despite the very specific climate of the area, the inhabitants of Baffin Bay are not scarce. Typical representatives of the local flora are brown and red algae. Due to the warm westerly currents, there is a high concentration of unicellular algae in the sea basin. They serve as food for microscopic invertebrates, especially krill, which in turn feed larger invertebrates, fish, marine mammals and birds. Invertebrates are more abundant here than in the Beaufort Sea. Numerous species of bottom-dwelling animals live in this sea - cephalopods and clams, sea urchins, jellyfish, daphnids, cyclopids, shrimp, crabs, lobsters, marine worms, and others.

The Fish of Baffin Bay

The diversity of fish in this sea is represented by more than 60 different species. Among them are several species of Gadidae (Pacific cod, Greenland cod, Arctic cod) and Pleuronectidae (Greenland halibut, Arctic flounder). Common species are: Capelin, Blue whitings, Saffron cod, Three-spined stickleback, Arctic char, Glacier lantern fish, American sand lance, Beaked redfish. From bottom fish - Shorthorn sculpin, Gelatinous seasnail, Arctic skate, Agonomalus jordani many others. Atlantic cod, Atlantic mackerel, Atlantic herring, Haddock, Atlantic halibut and Roughhead grenadier migrate from the Atlantic Ocean.

Mammals of Baffin Bay

A large number of Beluga whales live in this sea. They are constantly in danger of getting trapped in the ice, so sometimes they have to break through the ice to get air and keep swimming. The famous Narwhals also swim here. Other whales, including Killer whales, are also found in the northern part of the sea. Dolphins and walruses also live here. Seals are represented by Harp seal, Ringed seal and Bearded seal.

Baffin Bay Sharks

One of the more fearsome members of the Baffin Bay fauna is the Basking shark. Despite their impressive size, they pose no threat to humans. The Greenland shark is also found here. It can grow to over 6 meters in length. This species has established itself in many Arctic seas. Cases of their attacks on humans have also not been recorded. There is no reliable information about the presence of other shark species in this sea. However, it is possible that species such as the Spiny dogfish and the Salmon shark exist in these areas.