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A Struggle for Survival
Georges Bank is a shallow underwater plateau off the coast of Maine. It once seemed that there was a limitless abundance of fish, lobster, and scallops in this fertile area. But populations are rapidly declining due to overfishing. Most of the danger comes from trawling, or dragging heavy nets over vast areas to catch fish. Not only does this practice kill large numbers of fish, but it also disrupts the ocean bottom, where many species do most of their feeding. Trawling stirs up muddy sediment, removing vital nutrients from the water. The heavy nets also crush the tunnels and tubes of small animals, which in turn destroys the food, homes, and hiding places of other animals. At one time, young fish found protection from the nets among the rocks. But in the late 20th century, rubber wheels were added to the nets so they could be dragged over rocks. Trawling has removed so many fish and destroyed so much habitat that the populations in Georges Bank have not been able to recover.