The Gulf of Maine has the most marine mammal diversity on the east coast, study finds

MAINE PUBLIC • March 11, 2022

New research shows that ocean environments off New England contain the most diverse array of marine mammals to be found on the entire eastern seaboard. Lead scientist Brooke Hodge of the New England Aquarium says that the highest variety of mammals is found in and around giant underwater mountains and canyons. In those areas, she says, cold, high-saline water carries nutrients from the deepest ocean toward the surface, powering a food chain that eventually leads to the mammals.