Bering Sea: Conservation Tips

Many threats face the Bering Sea, from overfishing to toxic chemicals to global climate change. Rising Arctic and sub-Arctic temperatures mean a loss of sea ice—an important habitat for polar bears, seals, walruses, and other wildlife.

The choices you make can not only help protect the Bering Sea, but your community as well.

• Turn off the lights and replace traditional light bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent ones.

• When buying a car, look for one with high gas mileage and low emissions.

Toxic chemicals endanger wildlife and human health—and these chemicals often travel great distances, even ending up in “pristine” environments like the Bering Sea.

• Limit the use of toxic chemicals in your house, on your yard, and where you work or go to school.

• Learn as much as you can about toxic chemicals and help support companies that produce environmentally friendly, nontoxic products.

The Bering Sea is one of the most productive fisheries in the world—over 50 percent of frozen fish consumed in the United States comes from this ecoregion. But fish populations of important species have declined from overfishing and other species are often injured or killed as bycatch.

Learn more about fishing issues so that you can buy fish that were harvested sustainably. For example, ask your local market to carry fish that carry the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label—MSC fish are caught and processed in ways that help protect marine diversity.