BENTHIC STORYTELLING: BIOGEOCHEMICAL RESPONSE TO TRAWLING IN JEFFREYS LEDGE AND STELLWAGEN BANK

Bottom trawling is a widespread commercial fishing practice that holds economic and cultural significance for many coastal communities. However, there are concerns about its ecological impacts, including its effects on the carbon cycle via the resuspension of sediment carbon to the pelagic layer, which could influence carbon emissions. This study investigates the effects of trawling on sediment carbon content and benthic ecosystems at two sites in the Gulf of Maine, Jeffreys Ledge and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. To characterize such effects, we collected and synthesized fisheries and oceanographic data including benthic fauna counts, sediment composition, and trawling intensity. Results indicate trawling is concentrated in areas with high carbon content and robust benthic ecosystems, and that changes in trawling activity lead to shifts in demersal community composition and abundance. To fully evaluate responses to trawling, we highlight a need for more comprehensive temporal data on benthic fauna and sediment carbon measurements, which would address uncertainties in sediment carbon dynamics, improve carbon cycle models, and inform marine conservation strategies related to commercial fishing.

Presentation Preference: Poster

Primary Presenter: Fin Li, Northeastern University (li.sop@northeastern.edu)

Authors:

Fin Li, Northeastern University  (li.sop@northeastern.edu)

Kayla Gillen, Northeastern University  (gillen.k@northeastern.edu)

Cristina Schultz, Northeastern University  (c.schultz@northeastern.edu)