Transport-driven seasonal abundance of pelagic fishes in the Chukchi Sea observed with seafloor-mounted echosounders

Abstract Recent summer surveys of the northeastern Chukchi Sea found pelagic fishes were dominated by large numbers age-0 Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida, Gadidae) and walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus, Gadidae), while adult comparatively scarce. The source fate these young remain unclear, as sampling in this region is impeded seasonal ice cover much year. Seafloor-mounted echosounders deployed at three locations from 2017 to 2019 determine movement variability gadids. These observations indicated that abundance community composition on shelf highly variable time scales, with few fish present winter. Tracking movements strongly correlated local currents. Fishes primarily displaced northeast fall, periodic reversals towards southwest driven changes regional wind patterns. flux past moorings prevailing northward currents transport a proportion leading relatively low abundances age-1+fishes environment.