1. THE CURRENTS OF GEORGES BANK AND THEIR EFFECT ON PRODUCTIVITY Sean Martin

2. Introduction  Georges Bank is a large shoal >100 meters higher than the Gulf of Maine  Off the coast of New England and Nova Scotia  Connected to mainland during the last ice age  Submerged ~6000 years ago  Very productive ecosystem and fishing ground

4.  Labrador Current brings cold water from the Arctic and meets with the warm water from the Gulf Stream  Clockwise circulation (gyre) observed on GB  Water on the bank becomes well mixed in winter due to storm events and cooling and stratified in spring and summer Currents

7. Biodiversity  Combination of sunlight and currents create ideal conditions for phytoplankton  One of the highest growth rates  Cod, Haddock, Yellowtail Flounder, and Atlantic Sea Scallops- economically important  Whales, dolphins, and marine birds thrive  Circulation on the bank helps distribute fish larvae throughout the bank