Stepping onto the shores of Boston, you are about to explore the magnificent Gulf of Maine. It is a vast body of water. This gulf has shaped the history, ecology, and economy of New England and beyond.
The Gulf of Maine is a large gulf of the Atlantic Ocean. It sits on the east coast of North America. It is bounded by Cape Cod in Massachusetts to the southwest. Cape Sable Island in Nova Scotia marks its northeastern boundary. The Gulf of Maine embraces the coastlines of several U.S. states. These include New Hampshire and Maine. It also includes Massachusetts north of Cape Cod. The southern and western coasts of the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are part of it.
The Gulf of Maine got its name from the English colonial Province of Maine. Early explorers likely named Maine after the province in France. Massachusetts Bay, Penobscot Bay, Passamaquoddy Bay, and the Bay of Fundy are arms of this gulf.
Geographically, the Gulf of Maine is a roughly rectangular depression. It covers about 36000 square miles. That is about 93000 square kilometers. The North American mainland encloses it to the west and north. It connects to the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast.
During the ice ages, the Laurentide Ice Sheet glaciated the region. This stripped sedimentary soil from the coastline. This created a rocky and scenic shore. It lacks the sandy beaches common to the south. Major coastal developments are in Boston, Portsmouth, Portland, and Saint John.
Underwater features sculpted during the ice ages define the gulf. It is a semi-enclosed sea. Underwater banks bound it to the south and east. Georges Bank shelters the gulf from the Gulf Stream. The Labrador Current influences the Gulf of Maine. This makes its waters colder and more nutrient-rich than those to the south.
Undersea valleys in the central basin reach depths of 1500 feet. That is about 500 meters. Undersea mountains rise 800 feet from the sea floor. That is about 240 meters. Some almost reach the surface. A few even exceed it, forming islands.
The Gulf of Maine contains three major basins. These are Wilkinson Basin to the west. Jordan Basin in the northeast. Georges Basin in the south. They are isolated from each other beneath the 650-foot isobath. That is about 200 meters. Georges Basin is the deepest. It lies just north of Georges Bank. It extends over 1200 feet deep. That is about 370 meters. It forms a pocket at the end of the Northeast Channel. This deep fissure runs between Georges Bank and Browns Bank. Browns Bank is the southwestern edge of the Scotian Shelf. The Northeast Channel is the major channel. It connects the Gulf to the rest of the Northwest Atlantic. The Great South Channel provides a secondary connection. It lies between Georges Bank and the Nantucket Shoals.
The Gulf of Maine’s watershed spans 69000 square miles. That is about 180000 square kilometers. This includes all of Maine. It also includes 70% of New Hampshire, 56% of New Brunswick, 41% of Massachusetts, and 36% of Nova Scotia. A small portion of Quebec is also part of the watershed. Significant rivers drain into the Gulf. From east to west, they include the Annapolis, Shubenacadie, Salmon, Petitcodiac, Saint John, Magaguadavic, St. Croix, Penobscot, Kennebec, Saco, Piscataqua, Merrimack and Charles rivers. The Saint John and Penobscot have the greatest discharge.
The Gulf of Maine is one of the most productive marine environments. Its cold waters and extreme tidal mixing support over 3000 marine species and birds. Haddock, pinnipeds, Acadian redfish, Atlantic herring, and American lobster thrive here. The American lobster grows to famously large sizes in the gulf. Kelp forest habitats support the area’s biodiversity.
Historically, the Gulf of Maine was an early destination for European colonization. French settlers founded a settlement on St. Croix Island in 1604. English settlers founded the Popham Colony in 1607. This was the same year as the Jamestown settlement. They also founded the Plymouth Colony in 1620. Cod fisheries supported the Industrial Revolution in Europe. They also played a role in trade routes between Africa, the Caribbean, North America, and Europe.
In the 1960s and 1970s, a dispute arose between Canada and the United States. It concerned fishing and resource rights in the Gulf of Maine. The International Court of Justice delineated a maritime boundary in 1984. The two nations still disagree on the sovereignty of Machias Seal Island.
Today, the Gulf of Maine faces environmental challenges. Water temperatures are rising due to climate change. This is affecting cod populations and kelp forests. Efforts are underway to prevent further degradation of this vital ecosystem.
Standing here, we recognize the Gulf of Maine. It is a place of natural beauty. It is a place of ecological significance. It is a place of historical importance. Its future depends on our stewardship and commitment.