Bering Sea
The Bering Sea is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean that covers an area of over two million kilometers. Specifically, the sea has a maximum width of about 1490 miles long and 990 miles in depth. An aerial view of the sea shows that the sea resembles a triangle.
Bering Sea Facts for Kids
- Named after a Danish captain, Vitus Bering
- Covers an area of over two million square kilometers
- Its middle is known as the ‘Donut’ hole
- Its largest engulfments are the Norton Sound, Bristol Bay and Gulf of Anadyr
- Consists of many islands such as the St. Mathew, Komandorski, and Hall
- Hosts over 419 species of fish and 30 species of seabirds
- Its ecosystem is said to be a property of the United States and the Russia jurisdiction
- Home to the rarest whale species in the world
- Home to marine mammals including the polar bear and the stellar sea lion
- Consists of 16 submarine canyons
- The significant activity at the Bering Sea may be said to be commercial fishing. The sea also supports a large number of mammals, seabirds more so at its higher tropic levels.
- The Bering Sea is also used for navigation. Navigation at sea is however significantly hampered by the frequent winter storms which are very severe. There are also strong tidal currents along significant parts of the sea. The dense fog and the floating ice which is said to be about 4 to 5 feet thick in the winter further makes it difficult to navigate.
- The Bering Sea majorly draws its waters from the Pacific Ocean. Its waters are described as slightly saline. Its salinity increases as one go deeper into the sea.
Biodiversity
The Sea provides a home to an enormous number of wildlife. Here you will find the endangered species of whales such as the Humpback Whale, Sperm Whale, Bowhead whale and the Sei whale. Also, the sea is home to over 30 species of seabirds. The seabirds that one is likely to find here are the Tufted Puffins, the Red-legged Kittiwakes, and the Spectacled Eider.
The Bering Sea is the habitat for over 419 species of fish. They include the Alaska Pollock, the Pacific Halibut, the Snail fish and the Pacific Ocean Perch. Of importance, the Bering Sea is the habitat for over 50 of the deep-sea species.
The Bering Sea is also rich in floating plant life. The floating plant life boasts of over 160 species. The plant life occurs twice in a year with the first growth occurring in the spring while the second plant growth is seen during at the autumnal mixing. The plant life plays a significant role in providing food for the mammal and marine life in the sea.
Economic Value
The Bering Sea is deeply rich in biological wealth. Mainly, the sea is the habitat to large volumes of commercial fish’ species such as the Salmon, Cod, and Herring. More so, the islands found in the sea form the ideal breeding grounds for the sea otter and the Fur Seal.
The native residents are said to rely heavily on the commercial fisheries for their income. Over the years, the intense fishing at sea has led to a significant decline of the King Crab population.
The sea also draws its economic value from its oil and gas deposits that are said to be found along the margin of the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Questions
1. What is the most popular economic activity in the Bering Sea?
2. What makes the Bering Sea one of the most dangerous water bodies to navigate?
3. Which Countries share in the sea’s biodiversity wealth?
Answers
1. Massive production of fisheries
2. Because it experiences waves that can go up to 30-40 feet high
3. Russia and the United States of America. The American side harvests approximately $ 1 billion worth of seafood while Russian side harvest about $ 600 annual value in seafood.
