This metadataset was compiled to document scientific dive operations conducted within the Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area (MPA). Its purpose is to enable the tracking of field activities carried out as part of ecological monitoring of the atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) habitats and other key species.Metadata were collected for each scientific dive, following a standardized protocol implemented since 2014 that includes the date, participating team, GPS coordinates, depth, and dive duration.The released dataset contains only descriptive and contextual information related to each dive operation: dive identifier, site, date, location, conditions of execution, method used, and environmental variables when recorded. It does not include photographs, videos, raw biological observations, or analysis results.Quality control involves standardization of the metadata form, verification of GPS positions and recorded depths, as well as annual internal review of the dive series by the scientific coordination team. Established procedures ensure the completeness, consistency, and traceability of the descriptive data provided.

Layers that present various important parameters such as inventories, presence, sightings, distribution, relative occurrence or catch rates, critical habitat, breeding and feeding areas, potential spawning and haul-out sites for the different species with status under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).The act classifies those species as being either extirpated, endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Under SARA, Fisheries and Oceans Canada must produce recovery strategies and action plans for aquatic species listed as endangered or threatened. The act is part of Canada’s strategy to protect hundreds of wild plants and animal species from becoming extinct, and to help in their recovery.The different species represented by the layers are the following:1. American shad (Alosa sapidissima)2. Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus)3. Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus)4. Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas)5. Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus)6. Copper redhorse (Moxostoma hubbsi)7. Eelgrass (Zostera marina)8. Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)9. Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina)10. Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)11. Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)12. Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus)13. Northern wolffish (Anarhichas denticulatus)14. Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax)15. Sea pens (Pennatulacea)16. Seaweed17. Smooth skate (Malacoraja senta)18. Sponges19. Spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor)20. Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)21. Thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata)22. Winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata)

Spatial distribution of the relative occurrence of northern wolffish in the annual DFO groundfish research surveys conducted by the Québec (1978-2008) and Gulf (1971-2008) regions. Catch and effort data were aggregated by 100 km² cells. The probability of catching an northern wolffish in a set and within a cell (relative occurrence) was calculated as the ratio of the number of sets in which a species was recorded and the total number of sets made. This method allows the mapping of catch and effort for numerous time series based on data from different programs in both the whole study area (research surveys and Sentinel Fisheries using bottom trawls and a random stratified design) or in specific areas within the Gulf.Source: Dutil, J.-D., S. Proulx, S. Hurtubise, and J. Gauthier 2011. Recent findings on the life history and catches of wolffish (Anarhichas sp.) in research surveys and in the Sentinel Fisheries and Observer Program for the Estuary and Gulf of St-Lawrence. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2010/126: x + 71 pages.Associated publication:Dutil, J.-D., Proulx, S., Chouinard, P.-M., and Borcard, D. 2011. A hierarchical classification of the seabed based on physiographic and oceanographic features in the St. Lawrence. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2916: vii + 72 pages. http:/ / www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ Library/ 342703.pdf.

Spatial distribution of the relative occurrence of Atlantic Wolffish in the annual DFO groundfish research surveys conducted by the Québec (1978-2008) and Gulf (1971-2008) regions. Catch and effort data were aggregated by 100 km² cells. The probability of catching an Atlantic Wolffish in a set and within a cell (relative occurrence) was calculated as the ratio of the number of sets in which a species was recorded and the total number of sets made. This method allows the mapping of catch and effort for numerous time series based on data from different programs in both the whole study area (research surveys and Sentinel Fisheries using bottom trawls and a random stratified design) or in specific areas within the Gulf.Source: Dutil, J.-D., S. Proulx, S. Hurtubise, and J. Gauthier 2011. Recent findings on the life history and catches of wolffish (Anarhichas sp.) in research surveys and in the Sentinel Fisheries and Observer Program for the Estuary and Gulf of St-Lawrence. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2010/126: x + 71 pages.Associated publication:Dutil, J.-D., Proulx, S., Chouinard, P.-M., and Borcard, D. 2011. A hierarchical classification of the seabed based on physiographic and oceanographic features in the St. Lawrence. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2916: vii + 72 pages. http:/ / www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ Library/ 342703.pdf.

Spatial distribution of the relative occurrence of Spotted Wolffish in the annual DFO groundfish research surveys conducted by the Québec (1978-2008) and Gulf (1971-2008) regions. Catch and effort data were aggregated by 100 km² cells. The probability of catching an Spotted Wolffish in a set and within a cell (relative occurrence) was calculated as the ratio of the number of sets in which a species was recorded and the total number of sets made. This method allows the mapping of catch and effort for numerous time series based on data from different programs in both the whole study area (research surveys and Sentinel Fisheries using bottom trawls and a random stratified design) or in specific areas within the Gulf.Source: Dutil, J.-D., S. Proulx, S. Hurtubise, and J. Gauthier 2011. Recent findings on the life history and catches of wolffish (Anarhichas sp.) in research surveys and in the Sentinel Fisheries and Observer Program for the Estuary and Gulf of St-Lawrence. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2010/126: x + 71 pages.Associated publication:Dutil, J.-D., Proulx, S., Chouinard, P.-M., and Borcard, D. 2011. A hierarchical classification of the seabed based on physiographic and oceanographic features in the St. Lawrence. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2916: vii + 72 pages. http:/ / www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ Library/ 342703.pdf.

Historical finds of Profenusa thomsoni

Historical finds of Operophtera brumata

Historical finds of Coleophora laricella

An exploratory project on the taxonomic and genetic diversity of decapods in three ocean subregions (Northeast Pacific, Canadian Arctic, and Northwest Atlantic), which were sampled in 2022, was undertaken by the Arctic Working Group under the Canada-U.S. Fisheries and Climate Collaboration between Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This collaboration framework aims to pool Canadian and U.S. data to explore the impacts of broad-scale climate change on marine biodiversity. In early summer 2022, a sampling protocol with the selection of targeted decapods was provided to DFO and NOAA collaborators. Targeted genera were collected from a total of 10 research programs across three ocean subregions and four marine regions. The Northeast Pacific samples were collected in the Bering Sea during the Northern Bering Sea Ecosystem and Surface Trawl Survey, and the Eastern and Northern Bering Sea Continental Shelf Bottom Trawl Survey of Groundfish and Invertebrate Fauna onboard the F/V Northwest Explorer, F/V Alaska Knight and F/V Vesteraalen. In the Western Canadian Arctic (mainly from Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf), specimens were collected during DFO’s Canadian Beaufort Sea – Marine Ecosystem Assessment (CBS-MEA) survey onboard the F/V Frosti. In Eastern Canadian Arctic (mainly from Baffin Bay and Davis Strait), specimens were collected during DFO’s Knowledge and Ecosystem-Based Approach in Baffin Bay (KEBABB) survey onboard the CCGS Amundsen and DFO’s North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Subarea 0B survey onboard the R/V Tarajoq. In the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (EGSL), specimens were collected from coastal surveys (scallops, sea cucumber, snow crab, and whelk surveys) onboard the CCGS Leim and offshore during the Ecosystemic Survey onboard the CCGS Teleost. Decapods were collected from various sampling gears (benthic beam trawl, modified Atlantic Western IIA otter trawl, Bacalao trawl, shrimp trawl, Digby scallop dredge, or modified sea cucumber dredge) and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level and photographed, when possible. All specimens were frozen at sea (n = 995). In the lab, the identifications were validated or refined with the photos and the frozen specimens. DNA was extracted for 87 specimens and a section of COI gene was amplified in order to be sequenced using Sanger method. Sequences were compared with existing data using The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) in the National Center for Bio-technology Information Nucleotide database (NCBI-nt, including the GenBank database) to compare scientific names, where available.The present dataset includes 391 decapod species occurrences. DNA was extracted for a subset of 87 specimens (COI gene); sequences are publicly available on BOLD data portal under project code DDAO (see supporting document "citations_references.csv" for more information).The data are presented in Darwin Core format and are separated in three files:The "Activité_décapodes_DDAO_decapods_event_en" file contains information about missions, stations and deployments, which are presented under a hierarchical activity structure.The "Occurrence_décapodes_DDAO_decapods_en" file contains the taxonomic occurrences.The "ADN_décapodes_DDAO_decapods_DNA_en" file contains the DNA derived data.For further details, please refer to the technical report available in the supporting document named "citations_references.csv". USE LIMITATION:To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.

Historical finds of Pristiphora erichsonii