To improve infrastructure management in anticipation of more frequent and intense flooding events, the USGS, in cooperation with the NPS, has developed multiple datasets that can help Acadia National Park’s natural resource managers identify the stream reaches and stream crossings (i.e. culverts and bridges) that have the highest potential for erosion and flood damage.

In addition to the report, USGS and NPS have created an online dashboard that enables users to click on a stream reach or crossing to view its erosion potential and flood vulnerability details.

Read the complete update from the USGS New England Water Science Center: HERE

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Mark your calendars for the Regional Association for Research on the Gulf of Maine (RARGOM) Annual Science Meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH.

The theme for this year’s meeting is:

Navigating Change in the Gulf of Maine: Science, People, and the Next Generation

• Exploring a changing system: biological, ecological, physical, and chemical perspectives
• Connecting science, communities, and management
• Building resilience and advancing remediation
• Innovating with emerging tools and approaches
• Finding the bright spots: stories of progress and hope

The meeting will feature keynote speakers, presentations, lightning talks, a poster session, and a networking reception to catch up with colleagues and make new connections. Students and early-career participants are especially encouraged to participate.

Registration and abstract submission details for posters and presentations coming soon!

The Regional Association for Research on the Gulf of Maine (RARGOM) Science Meeting serves as a vital and inclusive platform for sharing innovative research and fostering collegiality among Gulf of Maine scientists and environmental decision-makers. RARGOM meetings provide a venue for attendees to network with peers, gain inspiration from expert keynote speakers, and access opportunities for regional collaboration.

Meeting details and updates will be posted to the RARGOM website at https://www.rargom.org/annual-science-meeting/. 

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The plan is available for download: HERE

The post NOAA Releases New Gulf of Maine Marine Debris Action Plan appeared first on Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment.

Highlights from the Year

• In 2025, the Gulf of Maine experienced its 15th warmest sea surface temperature (SST) year on record (51.3°F; +0.74°F above normal).
• Bottom temperature (BT) ranked as the 11th coolest year on record (-0.38°F below normal), marking a notable surface-bottom contrast.
• Surface warming was strongest during late summer and early fall, with three marine heatwave events between July and October, while bottom temperatures remained relatively cool and did not reach extreme thresholds.
• Long-term trends continue to show rapid warming in the Gulf of Maine, nearly triple the global ocean average at the surface, with the strongest warming occurring during the stratified summer months.

The complete 2025 report is available on the Gulf of Maine Research Institute’s website: HERE

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