Grand Banks is a shallow underwater plateau off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Grand Banks sits in the Atlantic Ocean roughly 250 miles east of St. John's, Newfoundland. It is not an island or a visible landmass — it is a submerged continental shelf, a wide, flat area of ocean floor that rises from the deep sea. The water above Grand Banks ranges from about 40 to 300 feet deep, which is shallow enough to support rich marine life and historically made it one of the world's most productive fishing grounds.
The Banks cover an area roughly the size of the state of Maine. They are part of the larger continental shelf system that extends from eastern Canada into the Atlantic. Several distinct underwater plateaus make up the region, including Flemish Cap, St. Pierre Bank, and the main Grand Banks formation itself.
Key Takeaways
- Grand Banks is an underwater plateau located about 250 miles east of Newfoundland, Canada, in water between 40 and 300 feet deep.
- The shallow water and nutrient-rich currents made Grand Banks one of the world's richest cod fishing grounds for over 400 years.
- A cod collapse in the 1990s led to a fishing moratorium that remains in place, fundamentally changing the region's economy and marine ecosystem.
- The area is still important for oil and gas exploration, with offshore platforms operating in the region today.
- Grand Banks lies within Canada's exclusive economic zone, though international waters and disputed boundaries complicate resource rights.
Why Grand Banks became famous for fishing
European fishermen discovered Grand Banks in the 1500s and found cod so abundant they could catch them by straightforward lowering baskets into the water. The shallow depth, cold currents from the Labrador Current, and upwelling of nutrient-rich water created ideal conditions for cod and other groundfish to thrive. For four centuries, fishing fleets from Portugal, France, Spain, Britain, and eventually Canada harvested cod here in enormous quantities.
By the mid-1900s, industrial fishing vessels with sonar, nets, and freezing equipment made the catch even more efficient — and unsustainable. Cod stocks declined steadily through the 1970s and 1980s despite warnings from marine scientists. In 1992, the Canadian government declared a moratorium on cod fishing in the region. That ban remains in place today, though the cod population has not recovered to historical levels.
The 1992 cod moratorium and its aftermath
When Canada closed Grand Banks to commercial cod fishing, it devastated Newfoundland's economy. Thousands of fishermen and processing plant workers lost their jobs almost overnight. The government offered retraining programs and income support, but many communities never fully recovered. Some fishermen turned to other species like crab and shrimp, which became profitable alternatives, but the cod fishery itself remains closed.
The moratorium was meant to be temporary, lasting just a few years until stocks rebounded. Instead, it has lasted over 30 years. Scientists debate whether the ecosystem has fundamentally changed, whether predators like seals now prevent cod recovery, or whether warming ocean temperatures have shifted where cod can survive. The result is that Grand Banks, once synonymous with endless abundance, is now a cautionary tale about overfishing.
Oil and gas development on Grand Banks today
While fishing declined, oil and gas exploration expanded. Several offshore platforms operate on Grand Banks, including the Hibernia, Terra Nova, and White Rose fields. These platforms extract crude oil and natural gas from beneath the ocean floor. The industry employs thousands of workers and generates significant revenue for Newfoundland and Labrador, though it also carries environmental risks and depends on global oil prices.
Offshore drilling on Grand Banks is technically challenging because of severe weather, icebergs, and the harsh Atlantic environment. Platforms must be engineered to withstand extreme conditions. The industry remains controversial — environmental groups worry about spills and ecosystem damage, while the provincial government and workers view it as essential economic activity.
How Grand Banks fits into Canada's maritime boundaries
Grand Banks lies within Canada's exclusive economic zone, which extends 200 nautical miles from the coast. This means Canada controls fishing, mining, and resource extraction in the area. However, the boundary between Canada and France is disputed in one section near the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, which France still controls. This dispute has occasionally flared into diplomatic tension but has not prevented resource development.
The United States also has fishing rights in some international waters near Grand Banks under international law, though the richest fishing grounds are within Canadian jurisdiction. These overlapping claims and historical agreements make Grand Banks a complex zone where national interests, international law, and environmental concerns all intersect.
How to find Grand Banks on a map
On a map or GPS, look for coordinates around 47°N latitude and 52°W longitude. This places Grand Banks in the western Atlantic, well offshore from Newfoundland. Most maps show it as a shaded area or label rather than as a visible landmass, since it is underwater. Nautical charts mark the depth contours and show the specific boundaries of the different banks and plateaus.
If you are looking at a satellite or bathymetric map (one that shows ocean floor depth), Grand Banks appears as a lighter-colored plateau surrounded by much deeper ocean. The contrast between the shallow Banks and the deep Atlantic trench to the east is visually striking and shows why the area was so productive for fishing — the shallow water and the meeting point with deep water create conditions that concentrate marine life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Banks still used for fishing?
Commercial cod fishing is banned and has been since 1992. However, other species like snow crab and shrimp are harvested there under strict quotas. Some recreational and Indigenous subsistence fishing also occurs in limited areas. The cod moratorium remains the defining feature of fishing policy on Grand Banks.
Can you visit Grand Banks?
Grand Banks itself is underwater and not a tourist destination. However, tour boats and fishing charters operate out of Newfoundland ports and may travel over the Banks. Some visitors take boat tours to learn about the fishing history and see the offshore oil platforms from a distance. The region is accessible only by boat or helicopter.
Why is Grand Banks so cold?
The Labrador Current, which flows south from the Arctic, brings cold water to Grand Banks. This cold water, combined with the shallow depth and nutrient upwelling, created the conditions that made cod so abundant. The same cold water is why icebergs drift into the region and why offshore oil platforms must be specially engineered.
What caused the cod to disappear?
Overfishing with industrial methods removed more cod than the population could replace. Scientists also point to changing ocean temperatures, increased seal populations that eat cod, and possible shifts in the ecosystem. The exact causes remain debated, but the result is clear: cod stocks have not recovered despite 30 years without commercial fishing.
Does Grand Banks belong to Canada or international waters?
Most of Grand Banks lies within Canada's exclusive economic zone, giving Canada control over resources. A small disputed area near St. Pierre and Miquelon involves French claims. International waters exist beyond the 200-nautical-mile limit, though the richest fishing grounds are within Canadian territory.