​The main commercial demersal species in this ecoregion are Greenland halibut, Atlantic cod, beaked redfish, golden redfish (Sebastes norvegicus), and northern shrimp. The mean relative spawning stock biomass (SSB) for Greenland halibut, Atlantic cod, and golden redfish has generally increased since the 2000s and is now in a good condition, i.e. above the biomass reference point where fishing pressure needs to be further reduced (SSB to BMSY trigger ratio > 1; Figure 13). The status for the demersal beaked redfish is at historically low levels and so is below biomass reference points. The biomass of northern shrimp in the ecoregion is currently high but below the trigger biomass where fishing pressure needs reduction. Detailed information on the status of fish stocks is provided in the Greenland Sea ecoregion fisheries overview​.

Biomasses of mackerel and herring have been decreasing during the last decade but are still in good condition and are above the biomass trigger point where fishing pressure needs to be reduced. Both the deep and shallow pelagic redfish stock biomasses are low and below levels where recruitment is impaired. After a period of low productivity (2002–2018), capelin has shown signs of improved recruitment since 2019, which has led to increased spawning biomasses.

The spatial distribution of most pelagic fish species has changed within the last decades as they have become more regular seasonal visitors in the ecoregion. Mackerel and herring now occasionally migrate into the ecoregion (June to September) during their feeding migrations west and northward from the British Isles and Norway, respectively. However, the abundance as measured from surveys as well as the catches of herring and mackerel in this ecoregion has decreased in recent years and was very low in 2021-2022. Also, capelin has changed its feeding and nursery grounds westward into the ecoregion.

The species interact in various ways, both through predation and through competition. The interactions between different species and the environment are understood to some degree, but potential effects propagating through the ecosystem are not quantified. Bluefin tuna, for example, is known to follow and prey on mackerel during its feeding migration into the ecoregion. The southern subregion is an important area for the drift of fish eggs and larvae of Atlantic cod, redfish, Greenland halibut, and capelin; changes in temperature and current velocity affect the feeding conditions and the subsequent survival of the larvae.

The non-indigenous pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) has been observed in several fjords/rivers in the southern part of the ecoregion and is a potential competitor to the Arctic char in the rivers.

Figure 14: Time-series of relative biomass (SSB to MSY Btrigger ratio) for the main demersal fish species: cod (cod.2127.1f14), Greenland halibut (ghl.27.561214), golden redfish (reg.27.561214), and tusk (usk.27.5a14). Stock details in Table A1 in Annex 1.