Seasonal migration, vertical activity, and winter temperature experience of Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides in West Greenland waters

Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) exhibit seasonal migration from Disko Bay to the deep waters of Ilulissat Icefjord, where they reside during winter months before returning. This study used electronic data storage tags to track depth, temperature, and time, revealing pronounced vertical activity with fish covering up to 100 meters in 15 minutes. Winter temperatures experienced by the halibut ranged from 0 to 4°C, with a mean range of 2.6°C in Disko Bay compared to 1.4°C in the ice fjord. The research also documented seawater temperature measurements beneath the Jakobshavn Isbræ outlet glacier for the first time, showing a positive relationship between depth and temperature in the upper 600 meters and between-year variations from 2001 to 2003. Additionally, the tagged halibut revealed that parts of the ice fjord are hundreds of meters deeper than previously thought.

Boje, J., Neuenfeldt, S., Sparrevohn, C., Eigaard, O., & Behrens, J. (2014). Seasonal migration, vertical activity, and winter temperature experience of Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides in West Greenland waters. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 508, 211–222. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10874