Climate Change and the Arctic

Arctic cod consume mainly crustaceans, such as mysids (shrimp), amphipods and copepods, and are eaten by a variety of other large fish, as well as many seabirds and most arctic marine mammals. They spend much of their time associated with sea ice and remain in Arctic waters throughout their life cycle. The fish is a key component of the arctic food web, converting the small but lipid-rich amphipods into prey that is substantial enough to support higher vertebrates such as seabirds and marine mammals.