Broad Zone to Protect Deep-sea Corals South of Georges Bank
The NEFMC approved 600 meter minimum depth broad zone to protect deep-sea corals south of Georges Bank, which extends out to the 200 mile U.S. E.E.Z. limit. Four seamounts and 20 submarine canyons are protected within the zone. Oceanographer, as well as Gilbert and Lydonia Canyons and the seamounts are also within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Alvin Canyon is roughly the boundary between the NEFMC and MAFMC regions. Heezen Canyon is near the Canadian border. The Gulf of Maine deep-sea coral management areas are not shown.