Proposes set of boundaries for the continental shelf of northeastern North America, defined by subdivisions of the Eastern Temperate Province, based on a review and analysis of scientific literature. Authors suggest there is evidence to consider the Scotian Shelf, Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, Southern New England, and the Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight as distinct biogeographic regions from a conservation planning perspective. A single set of boundaries can be used to aid regional analyses focused on the conservation value of different types of marine protected areas in this area, including the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.