Search the Site

Fisheries

Groundfish

Groundfish primarily live and feed close to the ocean floor and include such species as cod, haddock and flatfish such as flounder and sole.   Groundfish stocks in the Gulf of Maine significantly declined during the 1990s as a result of overfishing, and they have been slow to recover. 

Our People

Some of our talented people working in this area.

Jennifer Litteral
Jennifer Litteral
Marine & Working Waterfront Programs Officer
Laura Kramar
Laura Kramar
Port Clyde Marketing Cooperative Coordinator
Robert Snyder
Robert Snyder
Vice-President of Programs
 


Richest Habitat

The Gulf of Maine contains some of the richest habitat for groundfish in the world, as the confluence of the cold Labrador Current and the warm Gulf Stream over large offshore banks and a shallow coastal shelf provides a rich upwelling of nutrients.  This area has attracted fish and fishermen for thousands of years, and has provided the economic-base of coastal communities since colonial times.

The Island Institute is currently collaborating with fishermen, scientists, nonprofit and governmental organizations, and many other interests to help rebuild groundfish stocks to a level that sustains the fishery as well as the communities who depend on groundfish for future sustainability.

 

Publications & Resources

 
small document icon 2008 Island Journal
 

Sign Up for E-newsletters

Enter your email address:

Privacy Policy
 
Trends in the Lobster Fishery July 31