Georges bank is a region of ocean just south of the Gulf of Maine and East of cape cod Massachusetts. This region is only 45 meters deep, allowing sunlight to reach the bottom making it very nutrient reach. Furthermore, the gulf stream and Labrador current intersect here, bringing their own nutrients and “mixing it up.” The cold water makes it perfect for the Atlantic cod and a variety of other fish species. Due to this large productivity, Georges Banks has been an important economic fishing zone. Unfortunately overfishing over the last hundreds of years has decreased the biomass of this area by nearly 90%. 66% of this decline has occurred in the last 50 years alone. Unfortunately this does not seem to be changing, despite attempts of (admittedly insufficient) regulation. Recent fears of global warming seem to be effecting the gulf of Maine significantly. Unfortunately the fish here are adjusted to live in the cold waters, and as water temperature rises it will only get harder for them to survive here. Not only is the loss of fish species tragic on its own, but we as humans rely on this area for food and money.
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