August 29, 2024 — The Gulf of Maine’s warming waters are profoundly affecting Maine’s working waterfront in more ways than one. Over the past decade, sea surface temperatures have surged, with recent years experiencing record-breaking warmth. This trend, largely attributed to climate change, poses significant challenges to local fisheries, but it also opens doors to new opportunities.
Over the last 10 years, there has been an unprecedented increase in the sea surface temperatures throughout the Gulf of Maine—something many scientists blame on manmade climate change. Out of the last six years, four of our summers have endured the warmest waters for Maine’s Gulf, with 2021 breaking a new record.