Local ice fishermen in a permafrost cave, Siberia (Photo: Peter Prokosch). Soil in the far Northern permafrost can be frozen several hundred meters deep. Permafrost soil has a constant year-round temperature of 0 degrees or lower and forms a solid foundation for building upon. Some permafrost caves were traditionally used as storage space for food during Summer. The arctic seabed in Siberia houses a large deposit of CO2 in the form of compacted Gas Hydrates. Increasingly subjected to warming, Siberia’s shallow shelf areas are melting, giving up greater amounts of methane than previously recorded, and softening the previously stable ground above. Local ice fishermen in a permafrost cave, Siberia (Photo: Peter Prokosch)

About 70 percent of the world’s total white fish supply comes from Arctic waters. This marine resource is extremely significant to Arctic regional and coastal communities.

Fishing in the Circumpolar North has been and is a significant economic resource. Fishing is also rooted in the culture of many of the Arctic nations.

The nations have come a long way since they used older methods like fishing through holes in the ice, although that practise is still used today. It’s more for fun now and to keep the traditions but before families used to fish like this to survive.

Fish was the main source of protein for many and the Arctic nations have a strong relationship with fish. Like the Arctic Portal Fishing Portlet shows it is an important resource for the Arctic nations and they all catch fish.

The Icelandic Sagas said that fish was a gift from the Gods. It was free for the ones who sought it.

This is the motto the Arctic nations used for a long time but rules and regulations took over and affected this saying in the 20th century. It created disputes and even fish wars.

Now Exclusive Economic Zones divide where nations can catch fish but this economical activity has shaped the cultural values in the Arctic and is an important factor in the daily life of the coastal residents.

In the fishing portlet this importance is highlighted, along with section on history of fishing, maps and other Arctic fishing related information.