10 Groundfish data
10.1 NEFSC Bottom Trawl Survey - Fall
10.1.1 Project information
Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Catherine Foley
PI contact information: catherine.foley@noaa.gov
Data start year: 1963
Data end year: Present
Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic
10.1.2 Data information
Project link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/22560
Data link: https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/fall-bottom-trawl-survey1
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Physical oceanography, Groundfish, Elasmobranchs, Pelagic fishes
Data type: spatial
10.1.3 Project description
The standardized NEFSC Fall Bottom Trawl Survey was initiated in 1963 and covered an area from Hudson Canyon, NY to Nova Scotia, Canada. Throughout the years, coverage has extended as far south as Florida and sampling depths have ranged from <27 to 366 m. Currently, the survey coverage is from Cape Hatteras, NC to Nova Scotia and the minimum depth range is > 18 m as the result of a change in the sampling platform. This has resulted in the exclusion of many inshore strata.
10.2 NEFSC Bottom Trawl Survey - Spring
10.2.1 Project information
Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Catherine Foley
PI contact information: catherine.foley@noaa.gov
Data start year: 1968
Data end year: Present
Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic
10.2.2 Data information
Project link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/22561
Data link: https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/spring-bottom-trawl-survey1
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Physical oceanography, Groundfish, Elasmobranchs, Pelagic fishes
Data type: spatial
10.2.3 Project description
The standardized NEFSC Spring Bottom Trawl Survey was initiated in 1968 and covered an area from Cape Hatteras, NC, to Nova Scotia, Canada, at depths >27m. Throughout the years, coverage has extended as far south as Florida and sampling depths have ranged from <27m to 366m. Currently, the survey coverage is from Cape Lookout, NC to Nova Scotia, including Georges Bank and the Gulf of Maine. The depth range minimum is >18 m, as the result of a change in the sampling platform. This has resulted in the exclusion of many inshore strata.
10.3 NEFSC Bottom Trawl Survey - Summer
10.3.1 Project information
Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Catherine Foley
PI contact information: catherine.foley@noaa.gov
Data start year: 1991
Data end year: 1995
Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic
10.3.2 Data information
Project link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/22562
Data link: https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/summer-bottom-trawl-survey1
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Physical oceanography, Groundfish, Elasmobranchs, Pelagic fishes
Data type: spatial
10.3.3 Project description
Sampling the coastal waters of the Gulf of Maine using the Northeast Fishery Science Center standardized bottom trawl has been problematic due to large areas of hard bottom and the proliferation of fixed fishing gear. Concerns that areas with significant fish biomass were not being sampled resulted in the NEFSC developing a summer bottom trawl survey in order to supplement sampling in this region. The NEFSC worked with regional fisherman to map areas accessible to bottom trawls and used this information to develop a sampling regime. A master list of towable areas was used to inform the stratified-random survey design which allowed sampling in these areas, while greatly reducing gear damage. This survey was conducted from 1991 through 1995.
10.4 MDAT Fish Summary Products
10.4.1 Project information
Lead entity: Duke Univ.
Partner entities: Northeast Regional Ocean Council, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOAA NEFSC, Loyola University Chicago
PI name: Patrick Halpin
PI contact information: phalpin@duke.edu
Data start year: 2010
Data end year: 2019
Spatial scale: USA
10.4.2 Data information
Project link: https://seamap.env.duke.edu/models/mdat/
Data link: https://mgelmaps.env.duke.edu/mdat/rest/services/MDAT/Fish_SummaryProducts_NEFSC/MapServer/0-191
Metadata link: https://seamap.env.duke.edu/models/mdat/Fish/MDAT_NEFSC_Fish_Summary_Products_Metadata.pdf
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Groundfish
Data type: spatial
10.4.3 Project description
Summary products are comprised of data layers from multiple species, and were created to allow quick access to map summaries about potential biological, management, or sensitivity groups of interest. Summary products provide a means to distill hundreds of data layer and time period combinations into more simplified maps that supplement the base layer reference library. These summary products include total abundance or biomass, species richness, diversity, and core area abundance or biomass richness for all modeled/sampled groups of species and are useful tools for seeing broad patterns in the underlying data or model results.
10.5 NEFSC Pilot Hook-and-Line Survey
10.5.1 Project information
Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Jason Morson
PI contact information: jason.morson@noaa.gov
Data start year: 2025
Data end year: Present
Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine
10.5.2 Data information
Project link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/science-data/cooperative-research-northeast#pilot-hook-and-line-survey
Data link: NA
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: No
Data categories: Groundfish
Data type: spatial
10.5.3 Project description
Many historical fisheries surveys, including the NEFSC Bottom Trawl Survey, are unable to operate around structured habitat. The Pilot Hook and Line Survey (HLS) is exploring new survey tools, including hook and line and stereo camera systems, to complement existing surveys, ensure data continuity, and provide new data streams for fisheries resources that associate with structured habitat. The HLS samples un-towable habitat, including wrecks, large boulders, natural and artificial reefs, and areas of marine infrastructure development to provide data on the distribution, abundance, biomass, length composition, and biology of federally managed species.
10.6 Cooperative Gulf of Maine Bottom Longline Survey
10.6.1 Project information
Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC
Partner entities: Various (GARFO, Anderson Cabot Center, UMass (Boston). University of Maine Orono, University of Florida
PI name: Dave Mcelroy
PI contact information: dave.mcelroy@noaa.gov
Data start year: 2014
Data end year: Present
Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine
10.6.2 Data information
Project link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/science-data/gulf-maine-bottom-longline-survey
Data link: http://catalog.data.gov/dataset/gulf-of-maine-cooperative-bottom-longline-survey-database1
Metadata link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/27731
Data availability: “Yes, by request”
Data categories: Groundfish, Physical oceanography
Data type: spatial
10.6.3 Project description
The Cooperative Gulf of Maine Bottom Longline Survey is conducted in the western and central Gulf of Maine and targets rocky habitats. It runs annually in the spring (April to May) and again in the late fall (October to November). To ensure that our survey data complements data collected during our bottom trawl surveys, we sample in the same areas in that part of the Gulf and use the same methods for selecting sampling stations within each area. We sample at 38 rough-bottom stations and seven smooth-bottom stations each season. This results in station density comparable to that of our bottom trawl surveys, but weighted to sample more stations in structured habitat. The survey is operated from collaborating commercial fishing vessels, and deploys 1 nm sets of traditional ‘tub trawl’ bottom longline groundfish gear (1000 hooks).
10.7 ME Research Array - Bottom Trawl Survey
10.7.1 Project information
Lead entity: Maine DMR
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Casey Yanos
PI contact information: Casey.Yanos@maine.gov
Data start year: 2025
Data end year: 2027
Spatial scale: Project
10.7.2 Data information
Project link: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/science/wind-research
Data link: NA
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: No
Data categories: Groundfish
Data type: spatial
10.8 [PLANNED] Gulf of Maine fish and invertebrate benthic habitat baseline data collection
10.8.1 Project information
Lead entity: TBD
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Brandon Jensen
PI contact information: brandon.jensen@boem.gov
Data start year:
Data end year: 2026
Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine
10.8.2 Data information
Project link: https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/environment/environmental-studies/Studies-Development-Plan-2023-2024.pdf
Data link: NA
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: No
Data categories: Habitat, Molluscs, Crustaceans, Groundfish
Data type: spatial
10.8.3 Project description
The objective of this study is to establish baseline benthic habitat characteristics at regional/WEA scales (10s of km). These data would allow for improved siting, impact assessments, and provide a baseline to evaluate project-scale habitat surveys submitted by lessees. Additionally, the results of this study would enhance our scientific understanding of these habitats, improve our EFH consultations with NMFS under the MSA in the region, and inform the National Environmental Policy Act process with the best available information regarding benthic resources in the Gulf of Maine.
[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”
10.9 Genetics and Genomics Strategic Initiative: Next-generation tools for fisheries stock assessment
10.9.1 Project information
Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC
Partner entities: NWFSC
PI name: Yuan Liu
PI contact information: yuan.liu@noaa.gov
Data start year: 2019
Data end year: 2025
Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic
10.9.2 Data information
Data link: NA
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: No
Data categories: Groundfish
Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”
10.9.3 Project description
Using metabarcoding to describe marine vertebrate communities and trophic dynamics for stock and ecosystem assessment across the U.S. northeast continental shelf and slope. (eDNA) CO PI: Richard McBride-Richard.McBride@noaa.gov
[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”
10.10 Maine eDNA
10.10.1 Project information
Lead entity: University of Maine
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Unknown
PI contact information: https://umaine.edu/edna/contact-us/
Data start year: 2020
Data end year: 2025
Spatial scale: State
10.10.2 Data information
Project link: https://umaine.edu/edna/
Data link: NA
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: No
Data categories: Sea turtles, Seabirds, Plankton, Marine mammals, Groundfish, Elasmobranchs, Pelagic fishes, Bathymetry
Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”
10.10.3 Project description
Maine eDNA is a 5-year research, education, and outreach program that seeks to transform our understanding and sustainability of Maine’s coastal ecosystems via environmental DNA (eDNA) innovations that unlock new scales of inference and new scales of collaboration.
[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”
10.11 NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center passive acoustic monitoring in the Gulf of Maine
10.11.1 Project information
Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC
Partner entities: University of Maine, Maine DMR
PI name: Sofie Van Parijs
PI contact information: sofie.vanparijs@noaa.gov
Data start year: 2020
Data end year: 2026
Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine
10.11.2 Data information
Data link: NA
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: No
Data categories: Acoustic, Marine mammals, Plankton, Groundfish
Data type: spatial
10.11.3 Project description
Researchers at NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center monitor the waters of the Gulf of Maine using passive acoustic recorders that collect ambient sound data. These data are used to characterize soundscapes and detect the presence of species of interest, such as marine mammals, fish, and invertebrates. The current mooring designs include hydrophones to record ambient sound and VR2AR acoustic releases. No animals are currently being tagged within these monitoring efforts. Thus, all detections are of opportunity and hopefully will contribute valuable information to other researchers. Tagged protected fish will be detected on the receivers.
[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”
10.12 NorthEast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (NEAMAP)
10.12.1 Project information
Lead entity: Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
Partner entities: Maine Department of Marine Resources, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA NEFSC, NE Fishery Management Council, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, FWS, Potomac River Fisheries Commission
PI name: Sarah Murray
PI contact information: smurrray@asmfc.org
Data start year: 2006
Data end year: Present
Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic
10.12.2 Data information
Project link: http://neamap.net
Data link: NA
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: No
Data categories: Physical oceanography, Groundfish, Coastal fishes, Diadromous fish, Acoustic
Data type: spatial
10.12.3 Project description
NEAMAP (Northeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program) is a collaborative state-federal initiative dedicated to the collection, analysis, and dissemination of fishery-independent data along the Atlantic coast, from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, NC. Our data collection efforts support stock assessments and fisheries management while enhancing our understanding of the marine ecosystem. The fishery-independent data we gather are invaluable resources for government agencies, recreational and commercial fisheries, researchers, and various stakeholders. Our program aims to coordinate existing fishery-independent surveys to optimize activities, promote comprehensive and consistent data collection, and maximize the utility of survey findings.
[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”
10.13 Quantifying marine biodiversity through movements and feeding: Assessing coastal marine ecosystem dynamics near estuary mouths
10.13.1 Project information
Lead entity: University of New Hampshire
Partner entities: Gulf of Maine Research Institute, NERACOOS
PI name: Nathan Furey
PI contact information: Nathan.Furey@unh.edu
Data start year: 2022
Data end year: 2027
Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine
10.13.2 Data information
Project link: https://marinebon.org/us-mbon/coastal-new-england/
Data link: NA
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: No
Data categories: Seabirds, Groundfish
Data type: spatial
10.13.3 Project description
This project, which includes the development of the Coastal New England Marine Biodiversity Observation Network, integrates technologies (acoustic telemetry, environmental DNA [eDNA], and acoustics) to track shifts in local marine biodiversity in both New Hampshire (Isles of Shoals) and southern Maine (Casco Bay) coastal waters. We are also examining how the feeding and movements of two important consumers, the common tern and Atlantic cod, respond to local marine biodiversity through diet analyses and telemetry. Bioenergetics models of these species will be developed to predict how changes in water temperature and diet may affect Atlantic cod and terns. Comparing and contrasting species’ responses to environmental change helps determine the “winners and losers” of climate change. All efforts each year are informed by a variety of stakeholders representing resource managers and non-profit organizations, including New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, National Marine Fisheries Service, Maine Department of Marine Resources, National Audubon Society, and the Piscataqua Region Estuarine Partnership. The team also includes experts in data management and accessibility to ensure data are accessible in a timely manner.
[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”
10.14 ME-NH Inshore Trawl Survey
10.14.1 Project information
Lead entity: Maine DMR
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Unknown
PI contact information: Unknown
Data start year: 2000
Data end year: Present
Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine
10.14.2 Data information
Project link: https://asmfc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AmLobsterFMPReviewFY2022.pdf
Data link: https://mainedmr.shinyapps.io/MaineDMR_Trawl_Survey_Portal/
Metadata link:
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Crustaceans, Habitat, Groundfish
Data type: spatial
10.14.3 Project description
The Maine-New Hampshire Inshore Trawl survey began in 2000 and covers approximately two-thirds of the inshore portion of Gulf of Maine. The spring survey began May 2, 2022 in Portsmouth, NH. However, during the first day of the survey a positive covid case occurred; as a result the survey was stopped while staff and crew quarantined. During this time the decision was made to restart the survey following the current schedule due the lack of accommodations and increase issues with gear in regions 4 and 5 in mid-June, and region 3 started back up on time on May 16, 2022 and ended on June 6, 2021 off of Lubec, Maine. Regions 1 and 2 were then rescheduled after the original end date of the survey and were completed on the weeks of June 6th and June 13th, respectively. Due to covid and gear conflicts, 101 out of the 120 scheduled tows were completed leading to an 84% completion rate for the survey. A total of 10,854 lobsters were caught and sampled, with 5,133 females, 5,719 males and 2 unsexed caught and measured (Figure 4). The fall survey began on September 26, 2022 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and finished on October 28, 2022 off of Lubec, Maine. Due to the adverse weather and gear conflicts, 87 out of the 120 scheduled tows were completed leading to a 73% completion rate for the survey. A total of 10,423 lobsters were caught and sampled, with 5,100 females, 5,319 males, and 4 unknown sexes sampled (Figure 5).
10.15 SouthCoast Wind Project Final Environmental Impact Statement
10.15.1 Project information
Lead entity: BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Unknown
PI contact information: Unknown
Data start year: 2021
Data end year: 2024
Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic
10.15.2 Data information
Project link: https://tethys.pnnl.gov/publications/southcoast-wind-project-final-environmental-impact-statement
Data link: NA
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Coastal fishes, Pelagic fishes, Crustaceans, Groundfish, Marine mammals, Sea turtles, Seabirds, Physical oceanography
Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”
10.15.3 Project description
This Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) assesses the potential biological, socioeconomic, physical, and cultural impacts that could result from the construction and installation, operations and maintenance, and conceptual decommissioning of the SouthCoast Wind Project (Project) proposed by SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC (SouthCoast Wind), in its Construction and Operations Plan (COP).
10.16 Georges Bank Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area
10.16.1 Project information
Lead entity: Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
Partner entities: NA
PI name: GARFO
PI contact information: Unknown
Data start year: 2015
Data end year: Unknown
Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine
10.16.2 Data information
Project link: https://services.northeastoceandata.org/arcgis1/rest/services/OceanUses/CommercialFishingManagementAreas/MapServer/50
Data link: NA
Metadata link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/map/gulf-maine-georges-bank-dogfish-and-monkfish-gillnet-fishery-exemption-area-map-gis
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Elasmobranchs, Groundfish
Data type: spatial
10.16.3 Project description
Exempted fisheries allow vessels to fish for specific species without being subject to certain northeast multispecies regulations, including days-at-sea, provided the bycatch of regulated species is minimal. This is a seasonal exemption area for vessels in the monkfish and/or dogfish fishery using gillnet gear.
10.17 Northeast Regional Habitat Assessment Data Explorer
10.17.1 Project information
Lead entity: MAFMC, NEFMC, NEFSC
Partner entities: Many
PI name: Jessica Coakley
PI contact information: jcoakley@mafmc.org
Data start year: 2022
Data end year: Present
Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic
10.17.2 Data information
Project link: https://www.mafmc.org/nrha
Data link: https://nrha.shinyapps.io/dataexplorer/#!/species
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Groundfish, Elasmobranchs, Crustaceans, Pelagic fishes, Habitat, Molluscs, Diadromous fish, Coastal fishes
Data type: spatial
10.18 Maine-New Hampshire (ME-NH) Trawl Survey Data Portal
10.18.1 Project information
Lead entity: Maine DMR
Partner entities: NA
PI name: Robyn Linner
PI contact information: Robyn.Linner@maine.gov
Data start year: 2000
Data end year: Present
Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine
10.18.2 Data information
Project link: https://mainedmr.shinyapps.io/MaineDMR_Trawl_Survey_Portal/
Data link: NA
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: Yes
Data categories: Habitat, Physical oceanography, Groundfish, Molluscs, Crustaceans, Pelagic fishes, Coastal fishes, Elasmobranchs, Diadromous fish
Data type: spatial
10.18.3 Project description
The Maine-New Hampshire Inshore Trawl Survey is a fishery-independent survey operated by Maine Department of Marine Resources that started in the fall of 2000. The survey is a collaborative partnership between commercial fishermen and state researchers to assess inshore fish stocks along the coast of Maine and New Hampshire. The survey occurs twice a year, in the spring and fall, and covers about 4500 square miles.
10.19 Casco Bay Aquatic Systems Surveys (CBASS)
10.19.1 Project information
Lead entity: Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Partner entities: Maine eDNA, Maine DMR
PI name: Graham Sherwood
PI contact information: gsherwood@gmri.org
Data start year: Unknown
Data end year: Present
Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine
10.19.2 Data information
Project link: https://gmri.org/projects/casco-bay-aquatic-systems-survey-cbass/
Data link: NA
Metadata link: NA
Data availability: No
Data categories: Coastal fishes, Pelagic fishes, Groundfish
Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”