* Entire population of Walruses in the Pacific region gather in the Bering Sea
* Able to live due to their thick skin

 

* Popular fishing spot regardless of conditions

           • King Crab, Opilio, Salmon

* Fishermen must withstand cold temperatures & wild rushing waves

 

• Rough waters pose unreliable setting for ships

Keystone Species - Pollock - Pollock is a type of fish found in the Bering sea that is consumed by many higher level consumers such as whales and sea lions.

Adaptations - Shells - Many organisms have adapted over time to have shells which will protect them from predators and some of the pressure of the ocean.

* Located in the Northern Region of the Pacific Ocean
* Home to a variety of aquatic animals but must be suitable for cold weather
* A widely known famous fishing spot

Seafloor Conditions - Under the Bering sea is volcanic rock that may form to become one of the many Aleutian islands.  The Seafloor mainly consists of a series of sedimentary basins.  The seafloor is on average around 4,500 meters below the water surface.  Scientists also believe that the Bering seafloor is a mass resource of methane hydrates, a form of natural gas.

Keystone Species - Sea Otter - The sea otter consumes many different organisms of mainly the shellfish domain, but also will eat fish and squid.  The otter plays a major role in the balance of the ecosystem in the Bering Sea.

Anthropogenic Threats - Overfishing - Overfishing has had a huge impact on the king crab population especially.  If we keep overfishing the ocean, we will eventually send the species into endangerment.

Anthropogenic Threats - Oil Exploitation - Human search for oil has had an effect on the Bering Sea, as offshore drilling is potentially harmful to the environment in the case of a spill.  Wastes are also spread out to the ocean during exploration.

Adaptations - Fins - Like in other aquatic environments, many organisms of the Bering Sea have developed fins and flippers to enhance movement in the water.

Adaptation - Blubber/Fat layer on body - Some animals have adapted to the frigid temperatures by developing layers of Blubber to keep warm.  The Killer Whale is one example.

Adaptations -  Thick fur - Thicker fur helps animals such as the sea otter to keep warm in the near freezing waters of the Bering Sea.