Bering Sea Habitat: Zhemchug Ridges

The Zhemchug Ridges are two isolated rocky ridges located on the Eastern Bering Sea shelf adjacent to Zhemchug Canyon, the largest submarine canyon in the world. The Zhemchug Ridges are one of the only known rocky outcroppings on the eastern Bering Sea shelf and are a rare and precious ocean habitat. The Ridges rise over 130 feet from the seafloor to a depth of 250 feet and are covered in deep-sea corals and sponges that provide nursery habitat for juvenile rockfish and other species. This video of the Zhemchug Ridges, collected by ROV by NOAA Fisheries in 2008, shows essential fish habitat for juvenile Pacific ocean perch, adult Northern rockfish, halibut, pollock, eelpouts, and many other species. The Zhemchug ridges are located at approximately 57°42'N 174°10'W and are currently at risk from the industrial commercial fisheries operating in the area. Read more about Oceana's work to protect habitat from destructive fishing gear here: http://bit.ly/1iy2bnx