Marine ecorregions in Northern Gulf Stream Transit

The Northern Gulf Stream Transition Region a region of open ocean in North Atlantic lying adjacent to and affected by the Gulf Stream to the east, the Labrador Current to the north and west, and the Acadian and Virginian Atlantic Regions (the neritic regions) to the west is an important and highly productive region for over 250 fish species, including bluefin tuna and Atlantic white marlin. Extending from waters off of Cape Hatteras to north of the Grand Banks, the waters of the region do not border any continental landmass, but overlay several important bathymetric features of the northwestern Atlantic, such as the Canyon Lands, Pickett Seamount and the New England Seamount chain. This once remote marine region is becoming increasing under pressure from fishing due to new technologies and equipment.

Rationale: Characterized by current and sea surface temperature influence from the adjacent Gulf Stream, including moderated water temperatures and the frequent presence of warm core and cold core rings; a pelagic area offshore of the NW Atlantic extending from the shelf break to the EEZ and Cape Hatteras where the Gulf Stream diverges north east.

Major community types and subtypes: deep ocean benthos, pelagic fisheries, deepwater gorgonian corals, octocoral gardens

Species at risk: sperm whale, fin whale, humpback whale, North Atlantic right whale, loggerhead turtle, leatherback turtle, Atlantic white marlin, Atlantic cod, silver hake, Great northern tilefish

Human activities and impacts: Overfishing has affected some species. For instance, the Atlantic white marlin, found throughout the western Atlantic usually above the thermocline in deep pelagic waters, is a victim of overfishing and current stocks are 5-15 percent of carrying capacity. Bluefin and bigeye tuna have also been heavily overfished in the region.