Full report - Conservation Gateway

Chapter 7 - Demersal FishElasmobranchsElasmobranchs were distributed across much of theNorthwest Atlantic, displaying distinct differences indistributions depending on species. Within the region,barndoor skate occurred along the coastal shelf off theGulf of Maine from the Bay of Fundy to MassachusettsBay and along the southern flank of Georges Bank (Figure7-23a, b). Highest numbers occurred around the perimeterof Georges Bank, particularly along the southernflank, in the Great South Channel, south of NantucketShoals, and in Continental Shelf waters off of Long Islandin Southern New England. Statistical analyses identifiedincreasing trends for barndoor skate in discrete locationsfrom the Northeast Peak to the southern flank ofGeorges Bank, as well as offshore waters of Southern NewEngland (Figure 7-23c, d). Weighted persistence analysesfor barndoor skate identified an area extending from theNortheast Peak and southern flank of Georges Bank asimportant (Figure 7-24).Clearnose skate occurred primarily in the southern portionof the region from Long Island to Pamlico Sound,ABFigure 7-24. Areas with high persistence and abundance over 40 years for barndoor skate during the spring and fallseasons.Northwest Atlantic Marine Ecoregional Assessment • Phase 1 Report 7-29