Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 4 hrs ago
Cold, fresh water delayed squid arrivals off the northeastern US
Researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and NOAA linked an unusual pulse of cold, fresh water to changes in fishing off the northeastern US.
The water moved south from the Scotian Shelf and the Grand Banks, though scientists do not know what drove it south.
Longfin squid usually reach southern New England in May, but in 2024 they arrived in August.
Several fish species arrived weeks late, while cold-water mackerel, which had declined for years, returned to catches.
Fishing crews and scientists tracked conditions through regular calls and measurements from boats and research vessels.
The findings matter to fisheries because shifts in ocean conditions can disrupt when and where commercially important species are found; the study does not say what will happen next.
A pulse of cold, fresh water off the northeastern US delayed longfin squid arrivals and disrupted fishing.
Longfin squid usually reach southern New England in May, but in 2024 they arrived in August.
Scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and NOAA linked the delay to water moving south from the Scotian Shelf and the Grand Banks.
The source of the pulse remains unknown.
Fishers also reported returning mackerel and other species arriving late or missing their usual spring runs.
- Who
- Longfin squid and commercial fishers in the northeastern United States.
- What
- A cold, fresh water pulse delayed squid arrivals and disrupted catches.
- When
- The pulse appeared in July 2023; squid reached southern New England in August 2024.
- Where
- The northeastern US continental shelf, including waters off southern New England.
- Why
- Scientists linked the delay to the cold, fresh water pulse, but do not know what pushed the water south.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Satellite maps first showed fresh water along the shelf edge from the Tail of the Grand Banks to the eastern tip of Cape Cod.
The water had spread southwest and toward shore, reaching Cape Hatteras.
Rhode Island boats recorded their freshest average May surface salinity in an 11-year record.
The R/V Roger Revelle surveyed waters off the northeastern US.
Longfin squid arrived in southern New England, later than their usual May arrival.
- Usual squid arrival
- May in southern New England
- 2024 squid arrival
- August
- May 2024 surface salinity
- Average of 30.7
- Freshening at the June 2024 peak
- 1.5 to 2.0 salinity units fresher than normal
- Surface temperature during the pulse
- 5 to 9°F (3 to 5°C) below the 20-year average
What people are saying
were up to five weeks late or missed their usual spring run altogether.