Fish Dynamics

Explore transboundary species across the North Pacific. View population trends, distribution patterns, climate impacts, and management status for important transboundary species.

Current Marine Heatwave Conditions Alert
Basin-wide marine heatwave event NEP25A affecting ~26% of the North Pacific (4th largest on record since 1982).
Review Detail
The following metrics summarize fish populations and climate impacts across the North Pacific
47
Species Monitored
+ 3 new assessments
68%
Above Target Biomass
Stable from Q1
12
Species on the Move
+ 2 from last quarter
85%
Assessment Confidence
Improved data quality

Priority Fish Statistics

Ecosystem-based assessments with management context

Status Indicators

  • Above target biomass
  • Below target biomass
  • Critical biomass levels
  • Insufficient data
HighAssessment confidence
MedAssessment confidence
LowAssessment confidence

What fish are you interested in?

Region
Species Category
Management Organization
Showing 6 of 6 priority fish
Chinook Salmon
High
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC)
↓ 18%
Recent Decline (5yr)
High
Climate Risk
Active
Management

Trans-Pacific stocks declining due to marine heatwaves and changing ocean conditions. Below rebuilding targets in multiple regions.

US-Canada transboundary management under Pacific Salmon Treaty
Pacific Cod
High
Gadus macrocephalus
North Pacific Marine Fishery Commission (NPFMC)
↑ 56%
From 2019 Low
High
Climate Risk
Rebuilding
Management

Stock recovering from 2014-2019 marine heatwave collapse. Not overfished per 2023 NOAA assessment. Biomass increased 56% from historic 2019 low.

Stock rebuilding with reduced catch limits (NPFMC)
Pacific Saury
Medium
Cololabis saira
North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC)
↑ 72%
From 2020 Low
High
Climate Risk
Below Target
Management

Stock remains critically overfished but recovering from historic lows. (B/BMSY = 0.34 - 65% below target).

NPFC interim harvest control rule supporting recovery
Japanese Sardine
Medium
Sardinops melanostictus
North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC)
↑ 12%
Recent Increase
Moderate
Climate Risk
Preventive
Management

Currently in positive phase of natural cycle. Key forage species for western Pacific ecosystem.

Regional stock monitoring protocols established
North Pacific Albacore
Medium
Thunnus alalunga
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)
↑ 8%
Recent Increase
Moderate
Climate Risk
Preventive
Management

Benefiting from warming waters in northern range. Strong recruitment in recent years.

Sustainable harvest levels maintained
Pacific Halibut
High
Hippoglossus stenolepis
International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC)
↓ 32%
Decline (2016-24)
High
Climate Risk
Intensive
Management

Spawning biomass at 38% of unfished level - lowest since 1970s. Dramatic size-at-age decline reducing reproductive capacity across all regions.

US-Canada rebuilding efforts - 15.8% TAC reduction (IPHC)

Current Environmental Context

Marine Heatwave Active
Basin-wide marine heatwave event
Ocean Acidification
pH levels declining in SE Alaska waters
Prey Shifts
Copepod communities changing in Bering Sea
Notable Range Shifts
Pacific Cod northward 200km, Albacore expanding north, Saury spawning areas shifting

Active Management Measures

Enhanced monitoring for 3 climate-stressed species
Seasonal closures in thermal refuge areas
Bilateral coordination on salmon management

Upcoming Key Dates

View all events →
Oct 15: PFMC salmon season review
Nov 8: NPFMC cod assessment
Dec 2: IATTC albacore meeting
Jan 20: PSC winter meeting

Quick Links

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Set Custom Alerts
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Welcome to the North Pacific Ocean Knowledge Network Dashboard

This interactive platform connects and synthesizes information about changing ocean conditions, key species, and management approaches across the North Pacific. The North Pacific Ocean Knowledge Network is being developed through the Basin-scale Events and Coastal Impacts (BECI) project to transform fragmented research and data into accessible, actionable insights that support climate-informed fisheries management and conservation decisions across jurisdictions.

Demo Platform Notice

This demonstration showcases the platform's structure and functionality. Some content is illustrative to demonstrate proof-of-concept capabilities. Information presented here should not be used for management decisions or policy development. The full operational platform will contain only verified, peer-reviewed, and validated information from authoritative sources.