9 Pelagic fish data

9.1 NEFSC Bottom Trawl Survey - Fall

9.1.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Catherine Foley

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1963

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

9.1.2 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

9.1.3 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.

9.2 NEFSC Bottom Trawl Survey - Spring

9.2.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Catherine Foley

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1968

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

9.2.2 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

9.2.3 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.

9.3 NEFSC Bottom Trawl Survey - Summer

9.3.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Catherine Foley

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1991

Data end year: 1995

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

9.3.2 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

9.3.3 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.

9.4 Evaluating Age Structure, Aging Bias and Mixed Stock Composition of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna in the Northwest Atlantic

9.4.1 Project information

Lead entity: GMRI

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Golet, W

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2019

Data end year: 2023

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

9.4.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.gmri.org/projects/bluefin-tuna-research/

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Pelagic fishes

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

9.4.3 Project description

Atlantic bluefin tuna are one of the oceans most magnificent fish. They can grow up to 12 feet in length, weigh almost 2,000 pounds, and migrate tens of thousands of miles each year. Humans have used these fish as sources of local protein for thousands of years, and now as product of commerce in commercial fisheries. Many recreational anglers also target bluefin due to their size, strength, and the quality of their meat. Despite decades of study, many of the most important aspects of this fish’s life elude us. Over the past two decades scientists have invested substantial time and funding studying the life history of these fish to learn more about their biology, improve our ability to assess the status of their stocks, and ultimately improve their sustainability.

9.5 HighlyMigratorySpecies_Fish

9.5.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA

Partner entities: NA

PI name: NOAA OCM

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2021

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: USA

9.5.3 Project description

Feature layer (polygons) of essential fish habitat for highly migratory fish species

9.6 State of the Ecosystem {ecodata} R package

9.6.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Brandon Beltz

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2017

Data end year: 2025

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

9.6.2 Data information

Project link: https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/ecodata

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Acoustic, Chemical oceanography, Physical oceanography, Marine mammals, Plankton, Pelagic fishes, Coastal fishes, Elasmobranchs, Diadromous fish

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

9.6.3 Project description

ecodata is an R data package developed by the Ecosystems Dynamics and Assessment Branch of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center for use in State of the Ecosystem (SOE) reporting.

9.7 State of the Ecosystem Catalog

9.7.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Brandon Beltz

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2017

Data end year: 2025

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

9.7.2 Data information

Project link: https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/catalog

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Acoustic, Chemical oceanography, Physical oceanography, Marine mammals, Plankton, Pelagic fishes, Coastal fishes, Elasmobranchs, Diadromous fish

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

9.7.3 Project description

Catalog of indicators used in the State of the Ecosystem reports and other ecosystem assessment products.

9.8 ME Research Array - HMS Monitoring

9.8.1 Project information

Lead entity: Maine DMR

Partner entities: University of Maine, GMRI

PI name: Matt Davis

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2022

Data end year: Unknown

Spatial scale: Project

9.8.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/science/wind-research

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Acoustic, Pelagic fishes, Elasmobranchs

Data type: spatial

9.8.3 Project description

This project aims to study the distribution and habitat use of highly migratory species in relation to proposed offshore wind areas in the Gulf of Maine. The objective is to learn patterns of habitat use and distribution in hopes to provide information regarding offshore biological activity for management purposes.

[1] “This data was sourced from: FishForwrd_2025-04-24”

9.9 Cross-taxa Assessment of Habitat Use and Connectivity Relative to Marine Protected Areas in the Gulf of Maine: Implications for Management

9.9.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC

Partner entities: Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Integrated Statistics, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

PI name: Danielle Cholewiak

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2021

Data end year: 2026

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

9.9.2 Data information

Project link: https://cdn.coastalscience.noaa.gov/page-attachments/funding/NCCOS_CRP_RER_FY21_Awards_Summaries.pdf

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Marine mammals, Sea turtles, Seabirds, Elasmobranchs, Pelagic fishes, Coastal fishes

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

9.9.3 Project description

We are evaluating how highly migratory and protected species, including cetaceans, fishes, pinnipeds, seabirds, and turtles, are using a network of state and federal marine protected areas in the Gulf of Maine and southern New England regions, and how this overlaps with areas of human use. Understanding the benefits of existing MPAs to species at risk will inform recommendations for potential new or expanded MPAs, and ensure their viability for future generations.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

9.10 Maine eDNA

9.10.1 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

9.10.2 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”

9.10.3 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”

9.11 Digital video aerial surveys of seabirds and marine megafauna in the Gulf of Maine from May 2023 to January 2024

9.11.1 Project information

Lead entity: Biodiversity Research Institute

Partner entities: BOEM, HiDef Aerial Surveying Limited

PI name: Andrew Gilbert

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2023

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

9.11.2 Data information

Project link: https://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/2316/html

Data link: https://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/2316

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Marine mammals, Seabirds, Elasmobranchs, Pelagic fishes

Data type: spatial

9.11.3 Project description

In April 2023, the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) commissioned HiDef Aerial Surveying Limited (HiDef) to conduct high-resolution digital video aerial surveys in the Gulf of Maine. The surveys aimed to record marine megafauna, seabirds, and human activity. The designated survey area is approximately 5 km off the coast of Maine A total of four surveys were conducted between May 2023 and January 2024. HiDef designed the survey using 2.5 km- and 5 km-spaced transects across the Gulf of Maine survey area, covering approximately 6,673 km².

9.12 SouthCoast Wind Project Final Environmental Impact Statement

9.12.1 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

9.12.2 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”

9.12.3 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).

9.13 Bluefin tuna habitat suitability

9.13.1 Project information

Lead entity: NASA Fisheries and Climate Toolkit

Partner entities: San Diego State University

PI name: Camrin Braun

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1990

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: USA

9.13.3 Project description

The Highly Migratory Species Habitat Suitability - Past and Future layers show the model-predicted habitat suitability for a given species. These predictions are derived from species distribution models that link observations of a species to the concurrent environmental conditions the species occupied. By linking animal occurrence to the environment over large datasets, we can model how suitable a particular habitat is depending on its characteristics such as sea surface temperature and bottom depth. A higher habitat suitability indicates that location is expected to be “better” habitat for that species at that time based on ocean conditions. By leveraging the animal-environment relationships, we can use the model to project expected changes to a species’ habitat using climate model outputs that represent the future ocean. The habitat suitability product is produced on decadal timescales (using mean of monthly suitability during that decade) to provide estimates of expected climate-induced change to species habitats in the contemporary (1990s to 2010s) and future (2070s to 2090s) ocean. Additional information about this project and for more details on how these models are produced and used can be found in the layer metadata and on the Fisheries and Climate Toolkit website.

9.14 Swordfish habitat suitability

9.14.1 Project information

Lead entity: NASA Fisheries and Climate Toolkit

Partner entities: San Diego State University

PI name: Camrin Braun

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1990

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: USA

9.14.3 Project description

The Highly Migratory Species Habitat Suitability - Past and Future layers show the model-predicted habitat suitability for a given species. These predictions are derived from species distribution models that link observations of a species to the concurrent environmental conditions the species occupied. By linking animal occurrence to the environment over large datasets, we can model how suitable a particular habitat is depending on its characteristics such as sea surface temperature and bottom depth. A higher habitat suitability indicates that location is expected to be “better” habitat for that species at that time based on ocean conditions. By leveraging the animal-environment relationships, we can use the model to project expected changes to a species’ habitat using climate model outputs that represent the future ocean. The habitat suitability product is produced on decadal timescales (using mean of monthly suitability during that decade) to provide estimates of expected climate-induced change to species habitats in the contemporary (1990s to 2010s) and future (2070s to 2090s) ocean. Additional information about this project and for more details on how these models are produced and used can be found in the layer metadata and on the Fisheries and Climate Toolkit website.

9.15 Long Island Sound trawl survey

9.15.1 Project information

Lead entity: State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Unknown

PI contact information: Unknown

Data start year: 2010 (earliest data available)

Data end year: 2023 (last data available)

Spatial scale: State

9.15.2 Data information

Project link: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/fishing/fisheries-management/long-island-sound-trawl-survey

Data link: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/fishing/fisheries-management/long-island-sound-trawl-survey

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Pelagic fishes

Data type: spatial

9.15.3 Project description

The Long Island Sound Trawl Survey is a vital tool Marine Fisheries staff use to measure the abundance and distribution of finfish, squid and other macro-invertebrates (lobster, crabs, horseshoe crabs, whelks) in Long Island Sound, independent of commercial or recreational fishing. By comparing Trawl Survey data with current fishery data (landings, catch/effort, seasonal patterns) each species’ harvest can be weighed against its abundance, providing a gauge to determine whether harvest limit targets are being met. The Trawl Survey also provides a measure of recruitment strength (abundance of young fish) entering the population each year, as well as detailed characterization of the size and age composition of several species entering the sound

9.16 Rhode Island coastal trawl survey

9.16.1 Project information

Lead entity: State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Scott Olszewski

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1979

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: State

9.16.2 Data information

Project link: https://dem.ri.gov/programs/marine-fisheries/surveys-pubs/coastal-trawl.php

Data link: https://dem.ri.gov/online-services/data-maps

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Pelagic fishes

Data type: spatial

9.16.3 Project description

The Rhode Island Coastal Trawl Survey includes a seasonal survey that has been conducted since 1979 along with the complimentary Narragansett Bay monthly survey since 1990. The purpose of the seasonal and monthly trawl survey is to provide fisheries independent data for a comprehensive resource assessment of finfish and crustaceans in Rhode Island State waters.

9.17 Northeast Regional Habitat Assessment Data Explorer

9.17.1 Project information

Lead entity: MAFMC, NEFMC, NEFSC

Partner entities: Many

PI name: Jessica Coakley

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2022

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

9.17.2 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

9.17.3 Project description

This application shares products from the Northeast Regional Marine Fish Habitat Assessment (NRHA)and provides tools to explore fish habitat data*, with an emphasis on habitat use at different regional scales and by diverse fish and shellfish species in the Northeast.

9.18 Maine-New Hampshire (ME-NH) Trawl Survey Data Portal

9.18.1 Project information

Lead entity: Maine DMR

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Robyn Linner

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2000

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

9.18.2 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

9.18.3 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.

9.19 Casco Bay Aquatic Systems Surveys (CBASS)

9.19.1 Project information

Lead entity: Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Partner entities: Maine eDNA, Maine DMR

PI name: Graham Sherwood

PI contact information:

Data start year: Unknown

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

9.19.2 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”

9.19.3 Project description

CBASS, a long-term monitoring effort led by GMRI, helps us gain a better understanding of the pace and direction of these changes taking place in the coastal marine fishery ecosystems that support our region.