Survey Progress and Bottom Temperatures
The goal of the eastern Bering Sea and northern Bering Sea bottom trawl surveys are to collect data on the ranges and populations of fish, crab, and other bottom-dwelling species in the Bering Sea. Temperature heavily influences these ranges and populations, so ocean bottom temperatures are recorded from all the areas the survey collects catch samples. During this year's surveys, we are sharing these temperatures in near real-time.
Survey Progress
This PDF provides static maps of each day's progress and bottom temperatures (Celsius). The last page includes a map of the full eastern and northern Bering Sea survey grid with bathymetry at 50m, 100m, and 200m.
Each spring, a cold pool is formed by the previous winter’s melted sea ice in the Bering Sea. The location and temperature of this cold pool changes from year to year and affects fish, crab, and other bottom-dwelling species movement and ranges. Due to warming ocean temperatures in the Bering Sea, scientists track and closely monitor the location of the cold pool by collecting ocean bottom temperatures at each station. Learn more about temperature anomalies, the cold pool, and how these temperatures have changed over time.
Learn more about the eastern Bering Sea and northern Bering Sea surveys in our 2023 research briefs. All data collected on the surveys are publicly accessible from:
- The Fisheries One Stop Shop (FOSS) public data portal
- The Distribution Mapping and Analysis Portal (DisMAP)
Survey Dates
The eastern Bering Sea bottom trawl survey is scheduled to run from May 17-July 29. The northern Bering Sea bottom trawl survey will take place afterwards, from July 29-August 24th. This year, start dates are staggered for the two vessels conducting the surveys, the F/V Alaska Knight (departing Dutch Harbor on the 17th of May) and the F/V Northwest Explorer (departing Dutch Harbor on the 21st of May). We will keep the communities informed of our survey progress by posting daily updates of our survey progress via the website and social media. As we have always done, we will share preliminary results from the survey via Strait Science, radio and newspaper interviews, and community presentations virtually if there is interest.
Pictures from the field
What do surveys in the Bering Sea look like? Explore our new photo gallery to see this current survey’s photos from scientists in the field. These photos show the incredible places that NOAA scientists go and showcase our mission in ways that words cannot.