Stimulating a Sea Change in Fishery Management

The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the world’s oceans causing dramatic shift in the distribution and abundance of many ecologically and economically important species. And the fishermen who make their living on the water are witnessing these changes first-hand. We advance more climate-ready fisheries management by supporting comprehensive fisheries monitoring programs and working to better incorporate climate data and fishermen's on-the-water observations into the science and management process. We are helping fishermen make this important transition by funding the purchase of video monitoring equipment that can meet these monitoring needs at a fraction of the cost of human observers.

Groundfish species like cod, haddock and flounders are important ecological drivers in the Gulf of Maine ecosystem. They are also an integral part of Maine’s marine economy. We work with communities all along the coast, including Cundy’s Harbor, Port Clyde and Stonington who share our commitment to sustainable fisheries in the Gulf. This includes purchasing groundfish permits to ensure long-term access to the fishery and partnering directly with fishermen and scientists to develop more selective and sustainable fishing practices.

Rapidly warming waters in the Gulf of Maine are causing dramatic changes in productivity and the distribution of many marine species. TNC supports the rapid and responsible deployment of renewable energy technologies to address the climate crisis and recognizes that well-sited offshore wind can play an important role in Maine’s clean energy future. 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.

Communities and ecosystems on Maine’s coast face major threats from climate change and coastal development. Our team is tackling these threats by protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems and helping coastal communities overcome these challenges in a nature-positive and people-positive manner. With partners, we are restoring salt marshes and natural floodplains, advancing research on eelgrass and shellfish and advocating for nature-based infrastructure that makes communities safer and ecosystems healthier.

When done in the right places in the right ways, aquaculture can provide an important food source and environmental benefits while oering new economic opportunities to coastal communities and reducing pressure on wild fisheries. Our oceans team works with partners and stakeholders to fill research gaps on restorative aquaculture approaches and advance policies to encourage ecologically beneficial aquaculture projects.