Arctic cod Boreogadus saida is a key forage fish in High Arctic regions, with hotspots forming along ice-edges where fish aggregate to feed. Reduced sea-ice extent associated with warming oceanographic trends have resulted in seabird diets shifting away from Arctic cod and this has coincided with declining seabird body condition. These warming trends will undoubtedly result in increased resource exploitation (fish, hydrocarbon) and shipping traffic as progressively more ice-free routes become available. Regions along major shipping routes support large populations of forage fish, marine mammals and birds as well as several Inuit communities; however, the basic biology of Arctic marine fish and ecosystem functioning is poorly understood.
I plan to initiate a new research project in Northern Hudson Bay,
for which I am currently seeking funding
(NSERC,
Polar Continental Shelf Project). The primary goal
is to examine the underlying bio-physical mechanisms influencing the biology
and behaviour of Arctic cod and how this influences foraging strategies
of top vertebrate predators, primarily marine birds. Research activities
will involve reconnaissance work (2004), followed by colony-based (2005-2008)
and ship-based components (2006-2008). Research activities rely heavily on
student involvement (1 PhD, 2 MSc). Collaboration has been initiated with
Environment Canada (http://www.mb.ec.gc.ca/nature/ecb/da02s18.en.html">Canadian Wildlife Service
Canadian Wildlife Service),
due to the long-term commitment to research seabird ecology in the Arctic
(Dr AJ Gaston, Dr G Gilchrist,
M Mallory). This research is expected to unravel complex species
interactions governing food web dynamics as well as significantly
increase our understanding of the ecology of Arctic species.