Bering Sea

views updated May 18 2018

Bering Sea Northernmost reach of the Pacific Ocean, bounded by Siberia (nw), Alaska (ne), and separated from the Pacific by the Aleutian Islands; it is connected to the Arctic Ocean by the Bering Strait. It is icebound in the winter months. Vitus Bering explorations in the early 18th century drew international attention to the seal-fur resource. Widespread disagreement over the protection of seals resulted in the Bering Sea Controversy (1886). Seal hunting regulations were imposed in 1893. Area: c.2.292 million sq km (885,000sq mi).