Fundy Tidal Power Development and Potential Fish Production in the Gulf of Maine

Abstract

The possible effects of tidal amplitudes altered by Fundy tidal power development upon potential fish production in the Gulf of Maine are examined with a marine ecosystem model. Three areas off the Maine coast are delineated on the basis of winds, tides, and the extent of vertical mixing. An optimum kinetic energy from wind and tide exists for maximum primary production in the water column. Primary production in the model is the base for a simple pelagic food chain leading from phytoplankton through zooplankton to fish. If the construction of a tidal power dam in the upper Bay of Fundy results in a 5–10% increase in tidal amplitude, our first-order model predicts that enhanced vertical mixing from May to October will increase potential fish production along the Maine west coast by 7–12%. Fish production along the Maine east coast and in offshore waters is predicted to remain at present levels. Climatic variation is predicted to have as large an impact on fish production as man-induced changes in vertical mixing caused by tidal power development.