Glacier Retreat in Greenland Threatens Feeding Grounds for Seals

Nature Communications Earth & Environment, 18 February 2026

Fast-flowing tidewater glaciers on the edges of the Greenland Ice Sheet provide feeding grounds for large marine species, including ringed seals, which feed on polar cod in meltwater flowing beneath the ice. Working in close collaboration with Inuit hunters in Inglefield Bredning, researchers used acoustic data to scan the water and detected dense schools of fish only found near glacier fronts, suggesting these areas offer concentrated feeding opportunities for larger predators. They found that seals caught within 2-3 kilometers of glacier fronts had recently eaten and had heavier stomachs, while those swimming further away often had empty stomachs since they chased scattered fish and zooplankton. Meltwater rising beneath tidewater glaciers pulls nutrients and small organisms upward, helping concentrate schools of fish near the surface to create easy feeding opportunities. Glacier retreat reduces these foraging grounds, shifting seal behavior, diet, and habitat range. Ringed seals are a key species for Arctic ecosystems and local Inuit communities. Changes in seal feeding behavior and distribution make hunting and food security more challenging.

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