Western Central Atlantic Pelagic

Artwork by Kelly Quinn

Located off the southeastern coast of the United States, this region encompasses the Gulf Stream, a powerful ocean current that transports warm waters from the Gulf of Mexico into the North Atlantic, influencing the climate of the eastern seaboard.

The pelagic zone of the Western Central Atlantic is renowned for its biodiversity, including various species of sharks, dolphins, and large pelagic fish like sailfish and marlins. This ecosystem is also a key migration route for numerous marine creatures, including sea turtles and seabirds. These pelagic waters play a pivotal role in the food chain, supporting a rich ecosystem of plankton, which in turn sustains larger marine life.

A few species found in the pelagic off Florida's coast: