The Arctic is warming at more than three times the rate of the rest of the planet.

As sea ice melts, ship traffic is increasing in the Bering Strait. This body of water between Russia and Alaska is only 55 miles wide at its narrowest point – and serves as a critical migratory route for thousands of marine mammals and millions of seabirds.

Click image for more information.

The extent of sea ice on March 4^th, 2019 compared to the historic median for that date shows a dramatic reduction in sea ice cover in the Bering Sea.

• The Northern Sea Route through waters north of Russia
• The Northwest Passage through Canadian waters; and
• A future Transpolar Sea Route across the North Pole, which could open by mid-century as ice melts, all converge at the Bering Strait

Click image for more information.

Bering Strait Shipping Routes Map

 
For the first time, elders from eight communities in the Bering Sea region put together this video as part of NOAA’s annual Arctic Report Card.