The Grand Banks of Newfoundland are a group of underwater plateaus southeast of Newfoundland on the North American continental shelf. These areas are relatively shallow, ranging from 80 to 330 feet (24–100 m) in depth. In this area, the cold Labrador Current mixes with the warm waters of the Gulf Stream resulting in upwelling of nutrients to the surface. This phenomenon makes the Grand Banks extremely productive and by some are considered some of the richest fishing grounds in the world. The region has supportetd groundfish, pelagic fish, shellfish, and many different species of seabirds and marine mammals. Due to the sheer abundance of these different fish species, specifically Atlantic cod, the region has been overfished for decades. The need for a no take marine reserve in the Southeast Shoal of the Grand Banks was highlighted by IUCN and MCI in their feature on High Seas Gems, and the Grank Banks are a featured Ecoregion by WWF. The Southeast Shoal of the Grand Banks was declared a Hope Spot by Mission Blue in 2013.
