Phytoplankton color index from the Continuous Plankton Recorder transect across the Gulf of Maine is consistent with the chlorophyll a derived measures from satellite - there has been a decline in fall chlorophyll from the mid-1990's to the present. Current fall phytoplankton color index values are near the lowest values observed.

Abundances of two species of copepods from the Gulf of Maine Continuous Plankton Recorder are consistent with the fall biomass estimates - zooplankton biomass and abundances are decreasing in the Gulf of Maine. Two common fall species in the Gulf of Maine both exhibit a decrease in a abundance in recent years after times series highs through the 1990's.