Fauna of the North Sea

The most common fish of the North Sea

The organic world of the North Sea is characteristic of the boreal North Atlantic zoogeographic region. The fauna is very similar to the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea, but it is more diverse due to warm-water forms; some Arctic species (up to 20% in some groups) penetrate here. In the northern sea there are more than 100 species of fish. Here are found: European plaice, Halibut, Cod, Haddock, Pollachius virens, Mackerel, Herring, Sprats, Shrimp, some Batoidea and Shark. 

Zooplankton of the North Sea

Crustacea (about 600 species), Worm, Mollusca (about 300 each), coelenterata are especially numerous. The littoral is characterized by large settlements of Mytilus, Balanomorpha, Blow lugworm, Amphipoda; deeper - many large mollusks (Modiola, Scallop, Ostreidae): benthos biomass averages 350 g/m2. In 1912, Chinese mitten crab was introduced into the North Sea by ships, which multiplied greatly and became a pest, as its burrows destroy the shores. 

What mammals live in the North Sea?

Pinnipeds (Pusa, Beluga whale, Harbour porpoise, Grey seal), Dolphins and Orcas enter the North Sea in search of food behind numerous schools of fish. Occasional visits are made by minke and bowhead whales. 

What sharks are found in the North Sea?

Sharks in the North Sea include the porbeagle, spiny dogfish, catshark and squatina squatina. The basking shark occasionally enters the sea to feed on zooplankton, and the Greenland shark has also been seen. There are reports of catching the bluntnose sixgill shark. In summer, the sea is sometimes visited by hammerhead sharks and blue sharks. 

Unusual aquatic organisms of the North Sea

In the North Sea there are unusual crabs - Balanomorpha. They look like crayfish, but they are atypical. Adults prefer to live by simply attaching themselves to other larger objects. Their body is protected by a kind of house, very strong and durable. For a long time these animals were considered to be molluscs.