How Can One Ocean Current Affect the Whole North Atlantic?
ES2403  The Gulf Stream and Atlantic Fishing Areas

In addition to affecting climate, the Gulf Stream can also affect the productivity of fishing areas. Many factors contribute to fishing conditions, and the factors interact in complex ways. Factors include water motion, direction of local currents, topography of the ocean bottom, fish preferences for certain habitats, phases of the lunar cycle, and local and regional weather conditions. Next, you'll examine what sea surface temperatures can reveal about ocean productivity near the Gulf Stream.

  !   Examine the image and read the excerpt below from a forecast on the productivity of fishing areas near the Gulf Stream.

Graphic, image, and text derived from ROFFS, Inc., Miami, FL

"...The main body of the Gulf Stream has an early morning estimated sst of 77.2°F and there is 76.0°F–76.5°F water on both sides of the main current...Some of the marlin also moved with the eddy as reports of marlin were received as far north as 75°20'W & 34°55'N. ...We expect that the fishing action will remain centered near 75°40'W & 34°40–43'N...Further north excellent conditions for a concentration of fish continue to be observed (four consecutive days) from 75°00'W & 35°15'N to...74°45'W & 35°30'N...Even as these eddies move northward, we expect the tuna action to continue as the action has been good the last three days." 



	

 	

		
			
	

	
	

		 
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