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Chapter 7 - Demersal Fishdecreasing trends observed across much of the SouthernNew England/Mid-Atlantic Bight area (Figure 7-11c, d).Weighted persistence analyses for silver hake identifiedthe coastal shelf and deeper basin waters in the Gulf ofMaine, the Cultivator Shoals area on Georges Bank, anda large area along the Continental Shelf from the coast ofLong Island to the Nantucket Lightship as areas of importance(Figure 7-12).High numbers of white hake were found predominantlyin the deep basins of the Gulf of Maine and along theperimeter of Georges Bank into Southern New England(Figure 7-13a, b). Statistical analyses for white hake generallyfound no significant trend across much of their range,though decreasing trends were observed at discrete locationsalong the 50 fathom curve in the Gulf of Maine,along the perimeter of Georges Bank, and along the shelf/slope break off of Long Island Sound (Figure 7-13c, d).Weighted persistence analyses for white hake identifiedWilkinson Basin, Jordan Basin, Georges Basin, and shelfwaters from Grand Manan Banks to German Bank as importantareas (Figure 7-14).ABFigure 7-12. Areas with high persistence and abundance over 40 years for silver hake during the spring and fallseasons.Northwest Atlantic Marine Ecoregional Assessment • Phase 1 Report 7-17