September 2, 2009
Report: Climate, commercial fishing affect ocean
By The Mainebiz News Staff
Climate change and commercial fishing have drastically altered the ocean ecosystem in the Northeast, according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The 2009 Ecosystem Status Report found that fish populations from Maine to North Carolina have changed over the last 40 years, affected by changing water temperatures, fishing pressure and coastal development, the Associated Press reported. The region's fishing grounds are now dominated by mackerel, herring and skates, while fish like cod are moving north to find colder temperatures.
However, the report did find that scallop and lobster populations in the Gulf of Maine are strong, and haddock and redfish populations are on the rebound, according to the AP.
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