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The western North Pacific and its marginal seas are known for having the highest biological productivity in the world's oceans. Although vertical turbulent mixing is considered important in transporting nutrients to maintain primary production, no research into vertical turbulent nutrient flux based on microstructure measurements has been conducted in this area. Observational and numerical studies over the continental slope in the southeastern Bering Sea indicate the relevance of vertical nitrate and iron flux induced by tidal mixing for maintaining high summer primary production. This research also suggests that the abrupt topography in the path of the Kuroshio and Tsugaru Warm Current act as a hotspot for vertical turbulent nitrate transport from the lower layer. Finally, this article discusses the future direction of nutrient flux observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]