The Species at Risk (SAR) Program is responsible for carrying out DFO’s mandate under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) to protect, recover and conserve all listed aquatic SAR in Canada. As part of this mandate, this spatial database has been developed to identify areas in which aquatic species listed under SARA may be found.Distribution and range information are identified for species listed as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern under SARA.Distribution (range) polygons and lines were assembled by regional SARA biologists using the best available information, including COSEWIC status reports, recovery potential assessments, academic literature, and expert opinion. These spatial data support the protection, recovery and conservation of species listed as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern under SARA. Species distributions are also described and displayed in Recovery Strategies, Action Plans and/or Management Plans. Discrepancies may exist between the distribution data shown in a species’ SARA recovery document and the current spatial data. Please contact DFO for more information on any data discrepancies.

DFO has committed to establishing a representative network of Marine Conservation Areas collectively comprising 30% of the EEZ by 2030. The MCT 2.0 program was established in 2021 to help achieve this target and establish long-term monitoring within Canadian conservation areas. Information on the distribution of species within a protected area is essential for the management and monitoring of a site. Decisions made on zoning, risk assessment, activity approvals and management effectiveness all require information on the distribution and status of species. The Scotian Shelf-Bay of Fundy Bioregion spans the domain of the Maritimes Region, and within it there are 8 Marine Refuges (MR), 3 Marine Protected Areas (MPA), and 2 Areas of Interest (AOI). Environmental DNA (eDNA) offers a promising approach for biodiversity monitoring that has been gaining increased attention in the marine realm. Through sampling relatively small volumes of water (~3L), eDNA can capture of millions of fragments of eDNA on specialized filters that can then be sequenced to identify the species composition of an area. eDNA metabarcoding is based on the foundations of DNA barcoding, where species are identified solely by their unique DNA sequences. This method is relatively simple, efficient (with the ability to characterize both fish and invertebrate diversity), and non-invasive, meaning there is no disruption of sensitive benthic habitats or need to dissect tissue samples from captured fish and invertebrates. eDNA has been shown to be comparable to other biodiversity censusing techniques and has the potential to rapidly conduct biodiversity surveys over a relatively large area, such as the Eastern Shore Islands AOI. The DFO Maritimes summer multispecies trawl survey is one of the longest-running data series with applications in fisheries stock assessment, and one of the only sources of data for offshore MPA design and monitoring. In this project we pair eDNA samples collected within current and proposed conservation areas with trawl catch data to create a biodiversity and animal community monitoring time series for these areas. We use eDNA and trawl catch data as complementary tools, where trawl-based catch provides information on fish abundance, size distributions and sex, and eDNA provides information on genetic diversity and can detect cryptic and rare species. Cite this data as: Jeffery, N.W. Monitoring regional conservation areas using paired environmental DNA and research trawl surveys. Published: May 2026. Coastal Ecosystems Science Division, Maritimes Region, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth NS.

This layer represents all the flora and fauna occurrences (1) in a precarious situation in the [Quebec Natural Heritage Data Center (CDPNQ)] (https://www.quebec.ca/gouvernement/gouvernement-ouvert/transparence-performance/indicateurs-statistiques/donnees-especes-situation-precaire). The purpose of publishing these data is to improve their accessibility for customers, to promote the consideration of species in land use projects and, finally, to facilitate the exchange of information with users.# #Des data adapted to the sensitivity of the species to promote their protectionIn order to prevent the dissemination of data from causing harm to certain species or their habitat, the CDPNQ has chosen to hide information. This choice is based on an analysis of the sensitivity of species to the dissemination of information concerning them. Generalized occurrences, i.e. those whose information is hidden, make it possible, despite the absence of precise information, to distinguish the territories for which the CDPNQ holds data on these species from those where it does not. It should also be noted that the absence of occurrences does not mean the absence of species in a precarious situation on a territory.# #Des valuable data for the conservation of biodiversityThe CDPNQ disseminates data relating to species in a precarious situation for scientific, conservation or management purposes.This data is important for:* Assess conservation priorities in order to make designation recommendations under the Act Respecting Threatened or Vulnerable Species or to apply protection measures for species in a precarious situation;* Develop or analyze conservation and land use projects carried out by municipalities, developers or various conservation stakeholders;* Document or analyze requests for ministerial authorizations and environmental impact studies;* Identify threats and conservation measures useful to inform the preparation of recovery plans for species in a precarious situation;* Contribute to conservation research projects;* Revise laws and regulations;* Ensure sustainable planning for the planning and development of Quebec territory, whether in terms of forestry, agriculture, municipal or other areas;* Contribute to the monitoring of the state of biodiversity and support discussions leading to the development of government guidelines in this area.The data is kept up to date thanks to field surveys, carried out in particular by the provincial and federal governments and several of their partners, but also thanks to the contribution of citizens.(1) An occurrence refers to a territory that hosts or has sheltered an element of biodiversity. When talking about a species, the occurrence generally corresponds to the habitat occupied by a local population of the species in question.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

The Species at Risk (SAR) Program is responsible for carrying out DFO’s mandate under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) to protect, recover and conserve all listed aquatic SAR in Canada. Critical habitat is identified for species listed as Endangered or Threatened under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).This mapping tool is for general guidance only. “Mapped” representations of waterbodies and watercourses are based on authoritative provincial geospatial products, guidance and standards. Due to the nature of dynamic systems and the resolution/accuracy of these data sets, areas within which critical habitat is found as displayed on the mapping tool may not align exactly with natural watercourses. If discrepancies occur, refer to the relevant species recovery strategy and/or action plan for additional information on critical habitat. If additional guidance is required, please contact the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program: https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/contact-eng.htmlCritical habitat is defined under section 2 of SARA as: "the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species and that is identified as the species' critical habitat in the recovery strategy or in an action plan for the species". Section 49(1)(a) of SARA requires that a species' Recovery Strategy/Action Plan include an identification of the species' critical habitat to the extent possible, based on the best available information, including information provided by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). SARA makes it illegal to destroy any part of the critical habitat of SAR and may impose restrictions on development and construction. Critical habitats were assembled by SARA regional biologists and recovery teams. They are designed to support the protection and recovery of species listed as Endangered or Threatened under the Species at Risk Act. They are also described and displayed in species' Recovery Documents and Action Plans.

As part of the Pan-Canadian approach to transforming Species at Risk conservation in Canada, a total of 11 Priority Places were affirmed by federal, provincial, and territorial governments in December 2018. One additional priority place was affirmed in 2024. The places selected have significant biodiversity, concentrations of species at risk, and opportunities to advance conservation efforts. In each Priority Place, the federal and provincial or territorial governments are working with Indigenous Peoples, partners, and stakeholders to develop conservation action implementation plans. Using a defined planning approach (such as the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation), these implementation plans identify key actions to address the greatest threats to species. Conservation implementation plans provide the foundation for collaborative action on the ground.The federal government, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, has agreed to the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada. This new approach shifts from a single-species approach to conservation to one that focuses on multiple species and ecosystems. This enables conservation partners to work together to achieve better outcomes for Species at Risk. These 12 Priority Places are complemented by a suite of Community-Nominated Priority Places (CNPP), identified through an open call for applications.To learn more about the Priority Places initiative and the work undertaken by our partners to recover Species at Risk within these Priority Places, please visit our interactive website https://environmental-maps.canada.ca/CWS_Storylines/index-ca-en.html#/en/priority_places-lieux_prioritaires

This dataset shows locations that contain critical habitat for certain terrestrial species at risk across Canada. It is intended to provide general guidance only, not legally authoritative boundaries.The dataset includes active critical habitat records for terrestrial species listed on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as Endangered, Threatened, or Extirpated, as well as archived records for species whose status has been downlisted to Special Concern, and for which Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and/or Parks Canada are responsible.Under SARA, critical habitat means the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species and that is identified as the species’ critical habitat in the recovery strategy or action plan for the species. These documents, which are published in the Species at Risk Public Registry (https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry.html), describe the critical habitat and may include maps or geographic coordinates.Because new information becomes available over time, recovery documents—and the critical habitat they identify—can be updated or revised. The Species at Risk Public Registry is the main source for the most current official information. If there is any difference between this dataset and a recovery document, the recovery strategy or action plan is the authoritative source.Some habitat locations are considered sensitive. For these species, the data may be shown in a less detailed way, or at a broader geographic scale, to avoid increasing risks to the species. For more detailed information on critical habitat, contact the Canadian Wildlife Service at scf-geocarto-cws-geomapping@ec.gc.ca.The data is current as of the date of modification.

Distribution (range) polygons were assembled by regional SARA biologists using the best available information, including COSEWIC status reports, recovery potential assessments, academic literature, and expert opinion. These spatial data support the protection, recovery and conservation of species listed as Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern under SARA. Species distributions are also described and displayed in Recovery Strategies, Action Plans and/or Management Plans. Discrepancies may exist between the distribution data shown in a species SARA recovery document and the current spatial data. Please contact DFO for more information on any data discrepancies. Please refer to the metadata included with the data for full entity attribute information

The Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR) is a contribution program that focuses on providing funding for recovery and threat mitigation activities in nine priority places and to address two marine threats to aquatic species at risk. The Priority Places and Marine Threats layer supports CNFASAR by delineating the location of the places and threats.The Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR) supports applicants in the design and delivery of stewardship projects. These projects support the recovery and protection of aquatic species at risk. DFO has identified 2 priority marine threats and 9 priority places as the focus for projects funded by CNFASAR, these areas are included in this dataset.

The B.C. Conservation Data Centre spatial layer that displays a generalised area that masks the precise locations of secured occurrences of species and ecosystems at risk. These are masked for public viewing and download. The occurrences may be secured due to the species or ecosystems being susceptible to persecution or harm, or for proprietary reasons. For information or to obtain details about Masked Occurrence Records, please contact the CDC at cdcdata@gov.bc.ca and provide projects details including precise location information and activities expected to occur on site or other reasons for requiring the information. Release of details of secured occurrences is subject to the signing of a Confidentiality and Non-reproduction Agreement and a demonstrated "need-to-know".

This point layer serves as a flag for known and previously reported locations of species of conservation concern in Yukon, as mapped by the Yukon Conservation Data Centre, when viewed at scales beyond 1:160,000. To view the actual mapped locations (polygons) see the Species of Conservation Concern layer, which becomes visible at 1:160,000.Distributed from [GeoYukon](https://yukon.ca/geoyukon) by the Government of Yukon. Discover more digital map data and interactive maps from Yukon's digital map data collection.For more information: [geomatics.help@yukon.ca](mailto:geomatics.help@yukon.ca)