The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the world’s oceans. It is one of the most complex and productive marine environments on the planet—but it is threatened by chronic overfishing, habitat loss and the effects of a changing climate.
TNC partners with fishermen to develop more sustainable fishing practices and to collect better data about how species are adapting to a warming Gulf. This information provides the foundation for climate-ready fisheries management, built on the knowledge of the men and women who know it best. As conditions become even more unpredictable, these partnerships will help protect this vital habitat and the communities that depend on it.
As the Gulf warms, it's even more critical that we partner with fishing communities to create climate-ready approaches to fisheries management so we can protect this invaluable resource.
What We're Doing with Fisheries
TNC works with coastal fishing communities to identify shared goals and enter into agreements with local fisherman associations and representative organizations that demonstrate a commitment from all parties to sustain the Gulf. These relationships are built on mutual trust and a shared vision for a thriving and abundant ocean.
Advancing Climate-Ready Fisheries
The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the world’s oceans, causing dramatic shifts in the distribution and abundance of many ecologically and economically important species. We advance more climate-ready fisheries management approaches by partnering with fishermen to gather timely and accurate data for scientific stock assessments.
Partnering with Fishing Communities
Groundfish species like cod and haddock are important ecological drivers in the Gulf of Maine. They are also an integral part of Maine’s marine economy. We work with communities all along the coast, purchasing groundfish permits to ensure they have long-term access to the fishery and partnering directly with fishermen and scientists to develop more selective and sustainable fishing practices.
Siting Offshore Wind Turbines
TNC supports the rapid deployment of renewable energy technologies to address the climate crisis. We are working closely with regulators, scientists and those who make their living from the ocean to advance a robust, data-driven process to help ensure siting decisions protect sensitive marine habitats and minimize conflicts with existing resource users.
What Success Looks Like in the Gulf of Maine
TNC partners with fishermen to help protect vital ocean habitats and the communities that depend on them. As part of our Join Maine campaign, we are working to ensure these critical successes by 2024:
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An increase from 40% to 100%
in the percentage of groundfishing trips that are effectively monitored.
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Double from 4 to 8
the number of key groundfish stocks rebuilt to healthy, sustainable levels.
To achieve these goals, we are working to raise $9 million specifically for our work in this area, including $8.7 million in support from people like you and $300 thousand in market-based funding. Learn more about our conservation goals and Join Maine.
Will You Join Us?
Your support will help collect better ecological information in the Gulf of Maine and develop more sustainable fishing practices to ensure a healthy ocean.
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