The General Oceanography of the Strait of Belle Isle

Abstract

Hydrographic data for late August, 1923, show for the Strait (a) progressive inward movement on the north side of Arctic or sub-Arctic water, (b) progressive outward movement on the south side of Gulf water and (c) a dominant outward flow with evidence of a previous dominant inward flow. Time differences suggest tidal causes for the marked temperature and salinity changes. Current measurements for a double tidal period indicate residual trends of nine and eight miles per day in opposite directions on the north and south sides of the Strait. Inside, the Esquiman Channel shows two contra-clockwise eddies north and south of the Mekattina Bank. In addition, hydrographic data show a strong northeasterly movement along the Newfoundland shore and a weaker southwesterly one along the opposite Quebec shore.Planktonic animals indicate the water movements, Mertensia, Acartia spiniremis, Themisto, Pseudalibrotus and Oikopleura vanhöffeni surviving to various degrees in the water from the Labrador Current that reaches the centre of the Gulf along the north shore of the Strait and Channel. Other forms characterize the warm shallow water along the Newfoundland shore inside the Strait and show its movement outward to the east coast of Newfoundland. The Greenland seal fishery of winter reflects the inward movement from the Labrador Current. Cod and herring fisheries invade this cool water of the north shore only locally in summer with access of warmer water from the south shore. Lobsters and cunners are very abundant in, but particularly confined to, the warm shallow water mentioned above.