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Chapter 7 - Demersal FishDelaware Bay (Figure 7-9a, b). Statistical analyses indicatedgenerally increasing trends for red hake in the Gulfof Maine and decreasing trends in much of Southern NewEngland and the Mid-Atlantic Bight area, particularlyalong the shelf/slope break (Figure 7-9c, d). Weightedpersistence analyses for red hake identified the 50 fathomcurve from Jeffreys Ledge through the Great SouthChannel to the Northern Edge of Georges Bank, and alarge area along the Continental Shelf extending fromLong Island to Great Bay, New Jersey as important areas(Figure 7-10). In the spring, coastal waters from DelawareBay to Cape Henry, Virginia were also important.High numbers of silver hake were found in the deeper watersof the Gulf of Maine and along the coastal shelf fromJeffreys Ledge to Outer Schoodic Ridge and in shelf watersof Southern New England from Nantucket Shoals toBarnegat Bay, New Jersey (Figure 11a, b). Statistical analysesfor silver hake revealed a pattern similar to red hake,with increasing trends observed in the Gulf of Maine andABFigure 7-10. Areas with high persistence and abundance over 40 years for red hake during the spring and fallseasons.Northwest Atlantic Marine Ecoregional Assessment • Phase 1 Report 7-15