The retreat and loss of ice in the Arctic will have harmful impacts for many of the species living in the region. Polar bears need sea ice so they can hunt for seals. A retreat and loss of sea ice could make it harder for these animals to get enough food. Those species of seal that need ice for resting, pup rearing and molting, will also be at risk. Danish Polar Center photograph Climate change in the Arctic is expected to alter the speed and patterns of ocean currents which in turn will impact fish stocks.
Arctic fisheries are among the most productive in the world.
Changes are already taking place, boosting some stocks and damaging others. Many groundfish stocks have shown a positive response to recent climate change. It says that projected climate change might halve or double harvests depending on the stocks concerned. Meanwhile some fisheries might die out altogether while new ones develop. Changes in the abundance and distribution of fish stocks and wildlife are just one of the issues facing fishermen, Arctic communities and the traditional, indigenous, peoples.