Gulf of Maine Area Program (GoMA)

The Gulf of Maine Area Program (GoMA) makes an ideal pilot project for a regional ecosystem assessment. Marine life of the Gulf of Maine has experienced changes in abundance and diversity both by anthropogenic activity and natural events. Good physical oceanography data exists as well as data for some species of the region because of their importance in the development of the American fishing industry. Too little is known, however, about populations and habitats of these organisms, their interactions with one another and their environment to understand changes in abundance and distribution, or to predict future trends. Integrating biological surveys with oceanographic data will enhance knowledge of biodiversity and ecological processes to allow ecosystem-based management in a large marine environment.

Download a brochure about the project in the Gulf of Maine.

For current news and information, please visit the Gulf of Maine Area Program website

Gulf of Maine Project Team

Principal Investigator & Senior Scientist:
Lewis Incze, University of Southern Maine, USA

Principal Investigator:
Peter Lawton, Fisheries and Oceans, Canada

Project Manager:
Sara Ellis, University of Southern Maine, USA

Project and Outreach Coordinator: Suzy Ryan, University of Southern Maine, USA

Reports and Other Documents

Prototype Biophysical Maps of the Gulf of Maine (October 2003)

Gulf of Maine Science Plan (April 2003)

Second Workshop Report, Woods Hole, MA, 9-10 May 2001

Related Links

Ocean acoustic waveguide remote sensing (OAWRS) in Georges Bank
Gulf of Maine Mapping Portal
Dynamic Atlas of the Gulf of Maine

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