Flemish Cap facts for kids
The Flemish Cap is a special area in the Atlantic Ocean. It's like a big, shallow underwater hill or plateau. This area is about 563 kilometers (350 miles) east of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in Canada.
The water above the Flemish Cap is not very deep, ranging from about 122 meters (400 feet) to 700 meters (2,300 feet). This underwater plateau covers a large space, about 42,000 square kilometers (12,000 square miles).
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What Makes the Flemish Cap Special?
The Flemish Cap is a unique place where two big ocean currents meet. One is the cold Labrador Current, which brings chilly water from the Arctic. The other is the warmer Gulf Stream, which carries warm water from the south.
When these two currents mix over the Flemish Cap, they create a special swirling movement of water. This movement helps to create a rich environment for sea life. The waters here are also deeper and warmer than the nearby Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Scientists think the Flemish Cap might have been a safe place for many sea animals during the last ice age.
Fishing and Protecting the Ocean
The Flemish Cap is important for fishing. However, it is located outside Canada's special fishing zone, which extends 200 nautical miles (370 km) from its coast. This means the Flemish Cap is in international waters, where many countries can fish.
Unfortunately, too much fishing, also known as Overfishing, became a big problem here in the late 1900s and early 2000s. Some fish species, like Cod, American plaice, and redfish, have been caught so much that their numbers have dropped a lot. Redfish are now considered endangered, meaning they are at risk of disappearing.
To help protect the fish, Canada has worked to stop overfishing in this area. They have used laws like the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act and the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement. These efforts aim to make sure there are enough fish for the future.
History of the Name
The name "Flemish Cap" has a long history. Records from as far back as 1607 show that fishermen from Flanders, a region in Belgium, used to fish in this area. The name is a reminder of their early presence in these waters.
Film Connection
The Flemish Cap was featured in the 2000 film The Perfect Storm. In the movie, this area was the last fishing spot for the boat Andrea Gail, whose captain was Billy Tyne (George Clooney). They were mainly fishing for swordfish there.
See also
In Spanish: Flemish Cap para niños
