Greenland Sea

Naval Shipworm, Ships Worm – Teredo navalis

Moustache sculpin – Triglops murrayi

Stout Bobtail – Rossia macrosoma

Common Seal, Harbor Seal – Phoca vitulina

Fried Egg Jellyfish,egg-yolk Jellyfish – Phacellophora camtschatica

Slender Ragwormpelagic, Clam Worm – Nereis pelagica

Rejected Neptune, Clench’s Neptune – Neptunea despecta

Blue whiting – Micromesistius poutassou

Shorthorn sculpin – Myoxocephalus scorpius

Greenland Margarite, Pearly Top Snail – Margarites groenlandicus

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Geography

The Greenland Sea is bordered by Greenland to the west, Svalbard to the east, and the Norwegian Sea to the south. It is connected to the Arctic Ocean through the Fram Strait, located between Greenland and Svalbard. The sea covers an area of approximately 1,205,000 square kilometers (465,000 sq mi), and its coastline is approximately 3,500 kilometers (2,200 mi) long.

Fauna

The Greenland Sea is home to a diverse range of marine life, including:

  • Fish: Cod, haddock, herring, pollock, and halibut are some of the commercially important fish species found in the Greenland Sea. The sea also supports populations of Arctic cod, Greenland halibut, and other cold-water fish.
  • Mammals: Whales, seals, and walruses are common inhabitants of the Greenland Sea. The sea is a major breeding ground for several species of whales, including humpback whales, minke whales, and fin whales. Seals, such as harp seals, hooded seals, and ringed seals, are also found in abundance, while walruses can be seen basking on ice floes.
  • Birds: The Greenland Sea is a major migratory route for many species of seabirds, including puffins, fulmars, and kittiwakes. The sea also supports populations of sea ducks, such as eiders and long-tailed ducks.

Surrounding Countries

The Greenland Sea is surrounded by three countries:

  • Greenland: An autonomous territory of Denmark, Greenland shares its western boundary with the Greenland Sea.
  • Norway: Norway's northernmost territory, Svalbard, borders the eastern part of the Greenland Sea.
  • Russia: While not directly bordering the Greenland Sea, Russia's northernmost territory, Franz Josef Land, is located just north of the sea, in the Arctic Ocean.

Facts

Here are some interesting facts about the Greenland Sea:

  • Water temperature: The average water temperature in the Greenland Sea is around 0°C (32°F). However, warmer Atlantic water flows into the sea from the south, resulting in some warmer areas.
  • Salinity: The salinity of the Greenland Sea is relatively low due to the influx of freshwater from melting glaciers and sea ice.
  • Ice cover: The Greenland Sea is covered by sea ice for most of the year, with the ice cover reaching its maximum extent in winter. However, the extent of sea ice has been declining in recent years due to climate change.