Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series ONMS-10-02 Stellwagen Bank Marine Historical Ecology Final Report U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Ocean Service Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management Office of National Marine Sanctuaries About the Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Ocean Service (NOS) administers the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS). Its mission is to identify, designate, protect and manage the ecological, recreational, research, educational, historical, and aesthetic resources and qualities of nationally significant coastal and marine areas. The existing marine sanctuaries differ widely in their natural and historical resources and include nearshore and open ocean areas ranging in size from less than one to over 5,000 square miles. Protected habitats include rocky coasts, kelp forests, coral reefs, sea grass beds, estuarine habitats, hard and soft bottom habitats, segments of whale migration routes, and shipwrecks. Because of considerable differences in settings, resources, and threats, each marine sanctuary has a tailored management plan. Conservation, education, research, monitoring and enforcement programs vary accordingly. The integration of these programs is fundamental to marine protected area management. The Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series reflects and supports this integration by providing a forum for publication and discussion of the complex issues currently facing the sanctuary system. Topics of published reports vary substantially and may include descriptions of educational programs, discussions on resource management issues, and results of scientific research and monitoring projects. The series facilitates integration of natural sciences, socioeconomic and cultural sciences, education, and policy development to accomplish the diverse needs of NOAA’s resource protection mandate. Stellwagen bank Marine Historical Ecology Final Report Stefan H. Claesson, Ph.D. & Andrew A. Rosenberg, Ph.D. With contributions by: Karen Alexander, Andrew Cooper, Jamie Cournane, Emily Klein, William Leavenworth, Katherine Magness Gulf of Maine Cod Project, University of New Hampshire U.S. Department of Commerce U.S. Department of Commerce Gary Locke, Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D. VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr. (USN-ret.) Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere f Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere National Ocean Service National Ocean Service David Kennedy, Acting Assistant Administrator John H. Dunnigan, Assistant Administrator Silver Spring, Maryland Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Office of National Marine Sanctuaries May 2010 Daniel J. Basta, Director Daniel J. Basta, Director Disclaimer Report content does not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Report Availability Electronic copies of this report may be downloaded from the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries web site at http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov. Hard copies may be available from the following address: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of National Marine Sanctuaries SSMC4, N/ORM62 1305 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 Cover Discharging cod fish from vessel Gloucester, MA circa 1882. From the National Archives collection, LICON. RG 22-C. Records of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. U.S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. Cyanotypes: Commercial Fishing Activity in the United States, 1882-1891. Courtesy of Gulf of Maine Cod Project, NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries; Courtesy of National Archives Suggested Citation Claesson, Stefan, Andrew A. Rosenberg, Karen Alexander, Andrew Cooper, Jamie Cournane, Emily Klein, William Leavenworth, Katherine Magness, 2010. Stellwagen Bank Marine Historical Ecology. Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series ONMS-10-02. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Silver Spring, MD. 221 pp. Contact Stefan.Claeson at [email protected] or [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS I. ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................ 1 II. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 3 WHAT IS MARINE HISTORICAL ECOLOGY? .................................................................................... 5 III. RESEARCH METHODS ......................................................................................................... 6 HISTORICAL SOURCE MATERIAL ................................................................................................. 7 Monthly Fishery Statistical Bulletins for Northwest Atlantic (1893-1944) ............................ 7 U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries Publications (1871-1940)........................................ 7 Scientific Survey Logbooks (1870-1940) ................................................................................ 8 Maps and Charts (1607-1940) ................................................................................................ 8 Early Exploration Narrative Accounts (1524-1700) .............................................................. 9 Fishermen Interviews (1850-1900) ......................................................................................... 9 Legal Documents and Legislation (1630-1940) ................................................................... 10 IV. STELLWAGEN BANK’S FISHERIES HISTORY .............................................................. 11 EARLY EUROPEAN FISHERIES AND OBSERVATIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS BAY ........................... 12 FISHING TECHNOLOGY ............................................................................................................... 18 BOTTOM TRAWLING, BY-CATCH, AND EMERGING MARKETS ....................................................... 23 TECHNOLOGY TIMELINE ............................................................................................................ 25 FISHING PORTS .......................................................................................................................... 26 Gloucester ............................................................................................................................. 27 Boston ................................................................................................................................... 29 Portland ................................................................................................................................ 30 MARITIME CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF STELLWAGEN BANK ...................................................... 32 Middle Bank .......................................................................................................................... 39 Inner Bank ............................................................................................................................. 39 Old Man’s Pasture ................................................................................................................ 39 West Jeffreys and Cape Ann Shoal Grounds ........................................................................ 40 Tillies Bank ........................................................................................................................... 41 Rocks South of Cape Ann ...................................................................................................... 41 Brewer's Spot and Si's Spot ................................................................................................... 41 Eagle Ridge ........................................................................................................................... 41 Western Point Ridge ............................................................................................................. 42 Wildcat Ridge ........................................................................................................................ 42 Massachusetts Bay ................................................................................................................ 42 FISHERIES .................................................................................................................................. 43 Cod ........................................................................................................................................ 45 SPENCER BAIRD, ON THE DEPLETION AND RECOVERY OF COD IN NEW ENGLAND (1871): .......... 45 Halibut .................................................................................................................................. 47 Haddock ................................................................................................................................ 49 Mackerel ............................................................................................................................... 51 MACKEREL MIGRATION ACROSS STELLWAGEN BANK, SEPTEMBER 22, 1833: ........................... 53 Hake and Cusk .....................................................................................................................