Klimabedrag.dk

{multithumb}

Many more different species of fish swim around in the waters around Greenland than researchers previously assumed. A total of 57 species have been added in a recent recount.

The picture shows common fish in the company of two seals.

Since the last count in 1992 about 57 species have appeared. This was revealed in a new survey carried out by fish curator Peter Rask Møller of the Zoological Museum in Copenhagen, in cooperation with Danish and Greenlandic scientists.

Thereby there is now a total of 269 known species in Greenland waters.

We are cautious to announce that the many new species are due to climate change, but there are about five new species, which appear likely to have come because of increased temperatures. "These are the salmon herring, whiting, Rosefishes, monkfish and snippe - all species which also occur in Danish waters, "said Peter Rask Moller said in a statement.

The 57 new species of Greenland are "new" in different ways. The 47 of the species are known worldwide, but are new in Greenland waters. In contrast, 10 species completely new and not previously described by science. [emphasized by klimabedrag.dk]

Only five of the species are Arctic - meaning that they occur only in the cold water north of the submarine elevations, that runs between Canada and Greenland, and Greenland and Iceland. The rest are species that thrive in slightly warmer water.

The vast majority of new species are deep-sea fish living from about 400 meters and down. This apply, for example, to two new shark species Iceland catshark and Portuguese dogfish. The reason why these species are appearing now, may be due to increased deep-sea fishing by both research vessels and commercial fishermen. [emphasized by klimabedrag.dk]

Peter Rask Møller dare not predict whether the new species will take hold and eventually become numerous enough that they can be fished.

/ Ritzau /

See the Danish version in Berlingske...