Fauna of the Wandel Sea

Arctic-type sea located at 82° north longitude and 21° west latitude. This small coastal sea of the Arctic Ocean washes the coasts of Piri Land (Greenland) in the west, while the rest of the area is completely surrounded by the Arctic Ocean, which freezes there all year round. This area is one of the least explored parts not only of the Arctic Ocean, but of the entire world ocean. The water space to the north and northeast of the Bering Sea is covered with ice throughout the year. To the west of the sea are two of Greenland's largest fjords: the Independence Fjord and the Danmark Fjord. In the northwest of the sea is the Lincoln Sea. The water temperature here is mostly below zero and can remain low even in the summer. In terms of climatic conditions, the Wandel Sea can be compared to the climate of the Antarctic hinterland. The sea basin is covered with ice most of the year. Moreover, the thickness of the ice cover is considered to be the most impressive in the Arctic Ocean, reaching 15 meters. Therefore, this sea is considered to be the most severe area of the Arctic. The area is extremely inaccessible for mastering.

Inhabitants of the Wandel Sea

Difficult accessibility and harsh conditions of these places have had a positive impact on the fauna and flora. The sea is rich in almost all representatives of marine life of these latitudes. Algae grow on the southern coasts of the sea. The diversity of aquatic inhabitants is supported by a large amount of plant and animal plankton, which is the main food link. Whales (beluga whale and narwhal) come here, seals (ringed seal, Arctic ringed seal and harp seal) live here. It is not possible to determine the exact number of fish in the sea. The absence of shipping and fishing has a positive effect on the conservation of many species in the region.

Fish life in the Wandel Sea

There are probably more than 100 species of fish in the Wandel Sea and the Arctic Ocean. The most important species are Arctic flounder (Liopsetta glacialis), Northern wolffish (Anarhichas denticulatus), Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus), Beaked redfish (Sebastes mentella), Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides), Polar cod (Boreogadus saida), Arctic char(Salvelinus alpinus), Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), Norway bullhead (Micrenophrys lilljeborgii), Blue ling (Molva dypterygia), Bering wolffish (Anarhichas orientalis), Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis), Ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius), Hooknose (Agonus cataphractus), Common seasnail (Liparis liparis), Common dab (Limanda limanda), Leatherfin lumpsucker (Eumicrotremus derjugini), Threadfin seasnail (Rhodichthys regina), Capelin (Mallotus villosus), Common ling (Molva molva), Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis), Lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus), Spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor), Blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), Roughhead grenadier (Macrourus berglax), Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus), Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii), Alaska plaice (Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus), Fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis). Sharks are not found in these areas. Fishing here is not on a mass scale, as it is difficult even for icebreakers to pass through the ice barrier, a thick layer lying on the sea surface. However, sometimes the most courageous tourists do not mind fishing in these places from the shore or from a motorboat.