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Why are the waters near the Grand Banks important fishing grounds?

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Map of the North Atlantic Ocean showing major ocean currents, with warm currents like the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift highlighted in pink and cold currents in blue. Arrows indicate current directions and relative speeds, connecting the eastern coasts of North America, the western coasts of Europe and Africa, and the Arctic region. — Gulf Stream Major warm and cold currents of the North Atlantic Ocean.

The waters near the Grand Banks are highly productive fishing grounds because of the convergence of the cold Labrador Current and the relatively warm Gulf Stream.12

This meeting of contrasting water masses creates significant turbulence and promotes the availability of nutrient salts, which are essential for the growth of plankton. Because plankton serves as the foundational food source for marine life, this environment supports a vast array of fish populations, including cod, haddock, herring, and mackerel.12

While these conditions historically made the region one of the most productive commercial fishing areas in the world, the stocks have faced significant challenges due to overfishing and environmental shifts in recent decades.12