Full report - Conservation Gateway

Chapter 7 - Demersal FishPlueronectidsThe plueronectid (or flatfish) group was found acrossmuch of the Northwest Atlantic, although distinct differencesin distributions within the region were apparent.American plaice were distributed across much of theGulf of Maine and Georges Bank, with highest numbersoccurring along the 50 fathom curve from Cape Cod tothe northern tip of Jeffreys Ledge and in the northernportions of Wilkinson Basin (Figure7-15a, b). Very fewwere found south of Cape Cod. Statistical analyses did notidentify any significant trends over the range during thetime series, though decreasing trends were observed in thespring across many parts of the Gulf of Maine (Figure 7-15c, d). Weighted persistence analyses for American plaiceidentified waters along the 50 fathom curve in the westernGulf of Maine from Cape Cod Bay to Casco Bay, portionsof the central Gulf of Maine including Wilkinson Basinand the Cashes Ledge area, and the eastern side of theGreat South Channel and Cultivator Shoals as importantareas (Figure 7-16).AWinter flounder were distributed from the Gulf of Mainesouth to Delaware Bay, with highest numbers occurringin nearshore waters in the western Gulf of Mainethrough the Great South Channel and into SouthernNew England as far south as Barnegat Bay, New Jersey(Figure 7-17a, b). Statistical analyses generally did not findsignificant trends over the time series, though decliningtrends were observed along the southern flank of GeorgesBank to nearshore waters from Long Island Sound toChesapeake Bay, while increasing trends were observedaround Massachusetts Bay in the western Gulf of Maineand off the southwest coast of Nova Scotia (Figure 7-17c,d). Weighted persistence analyses for winter flounderidentified waters from Grand Manan Banks to GermanBank off the southwest coast of Nova Scotia, nearshorewaters from Massachusetts Bay to Nantucket Shoals, andnearshore waters from Block Island to Sandy Hook, NewJersey as important areas (Figure 7-18).BFigure 7-16. Areas with high persistence and abundance over 40 years for American plaice during the spring and fallseasons.Northwest Atlantic Marine Ecoregional Assessment • Phase 1 Report 7-21