PURPOSE:This Archer fiord data is associated with a larger program ArcticCORE, which was created to fulfill knowledge gaps and develop long term protection in the extremely remote Tuvaijuittuq region. The main objectives of this expedition were to improve our comprehension of the key drivers for productive capacity, diversity and ecosystem structure in areas connected to Baffin Bay and Tuvaijuittuq, including Archer fiord.DESCRIPTION:ArcticCORE is a 5-year broader program aiming to characterize Tuvaijuittuq’s unique ecosystem and its influence and connectivity with the adjacent ecosystems to inform sustainable management and conservation initiatives in Tuvaijuittuq and the eastern Arctic. In an Arctic Ocean with rapidly declining sea ice, Tuvaijuittuq area retains the oldest and thickest sea ice, and can act as a refuge for ice-dependent species. This program aims to characterize the Arctic marine ecosystem and establish baseline measurements for future comparisons in the region. From 2023, water collection was carried out at four stations throughout Archer Fiord and analyzed for primary productivity, chlorophyll a, phytoplankton flow cytometry and phytoplankton taxonomy down to the lowest identifiable level. These data will contribute to a better understanding of the key drivers for productive capacity, diversity and ecosystem structure in Archer fiord. Characterization of these upstream areas are relevant for an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management in Baffin Bay, a priority for DFO and an intrinsic part of mandated activities, as they influence the ecosystem and fisheries resources downstream.

Research surveys targeting Icelandic scallops (Chlamys islandica) have been conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) at one- or two-year intervals in the Mingan Archipelago (since 1990 in fishing area 16E and since 2004 in fishing area 16F). The main objective of this survey is to assess the status of Icelandic scallop stocks. The study area is situated around the Mingan Archipelago, where scallop beds are sampled at depths ranging from approximately 8 to 136 m, but typically around 40 to 60 m. Sampling is conducted along transects at fixed stations in the study area. Each station is sampled using a lined Digby scallop dredge (20 mm mesh size), towed for roughly 150 m across the seabed.This publication includes three files: the file biometriePetoncle_16, which contains detailed biometric data (species, size, weights and sex) from 2001 to 2025; the file taillePetoncle_16, which provides the size of the individuals sampled from 2010 to 2024; and the file traitPetoncle_16 which contains the abundances and densities per tow from 2004 to 2024. Data on abundances and densities per tow from 2001-2003 is available upon request.This dataset is updated every one to two years as data becomes available. A cleaning of aberrant data has been carried out. However, there is missing data in various columns of the dataset – use the data with caution. If you have any questions please contact DFO.DataManagementSAISB-GestionDonneesDAISS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or the author. For certain time periods, associated species are identified and semi-quantitatively counted directly on the sorting table, and the results are presented in the following publication: - https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/7d29bdb1-7e39-43ee-9fb1-bbf33cc9c9b9

“Summer” missions occur in June, July and August and these focus on the Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy (i.e. 4VWX 5Yb, expanding recently to include the Laurentian Channel and Georges Bank (5Zc). Collected data includes total catch in numbers and weights by species. Length frequency data is available for most species, as are the age, sex, maturity and weight information for a subset of the individual animals. Other data such as ageing material, genetic material, and stomach contents are often also collected, but are stored elsewhere.“Summer” cruises occur in May, June, July and August and these focus on the Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy (i.e. 4VWX).Cite this data as: Clark, D., Emberley, J. Data of MARITIMES SUMMER RESEARCH VESSEL SURVEYS. Published January 2021. Population Ecology Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/1366e1f1-e2c8-4905-89ae-e10f1be0a164

The St. Lawrence Estuary is known as a summer foraging area for several species of marine mammals, including several species of rorquals. Among these is the blue whale, which feeds almost exclusively on euphausiids. Therefore, the abundance, distribution and local density of krill should logically be a strong explanatory variable for the distribution of blue whales. However little is known about the spatial association of blue whales with the aggregation dynamics of krill in eastern Canada. Six years of acoustic surveys, conducted in August from 2009 to 2014, were undertaken to study the medium- and small-scale distribution of krill within the northwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence and estuary. The data shows a mosaic of the maximum annual density of arctic krill (T. raschii) made from these surveys.McQuinn, I.H., Gosselin, J.-F., Bourassa, M.-N., Mosnier, A., St-Pierre, J.-F., Plourde, S., Lesage, V., Raymond, A. 2016. The spatial association of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) with krill patches (Thysanoessa spp. and Meganyctiphanes norvegica) in the estuary and northwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/104. iv + 19 p.

Fecundity of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) was estimated within five spawning areas (German Bank, Scots Bay, Seal Island, Southern Shore Nova Scotia, and Eastern Shore Nova Scotia) in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) areas 4WX in 2019 and 2020. The objective of this project was to describe the fecundity-at-size (weight, length, and age) relationships among spawning grounds, compare these relationships to historical fecundity-at-size relationships, and assess the influence of changes in weight-at-age and fecundity over time to the reproductive potential of a unit of spawning stock biomass.Cite this data as: Barrett T. Data of: Fecundity of Herring in Divisions 4WX. Published: September 2021. Population Ecology Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews, N.B. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/e39b1318-c9f7-4686-b5e5-7d838c8ac99a

Catch, effort, location (latitude, longitude), relative abundance indices, and associated biological data from groundfish multi-species bottom trawl surveys in West Coast Haida Gwaii.Introduction The West Coast Haida Gwaii (WCHG) synoptic bottom trawl survey was first conducted annually from 2006 to 2008 and has since been repeated every second year on even numbered years. The survey was not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey is one of a set of long-term and coordinated surveys that together cover the continental shelf and upper slope of most of the British Columbia coast. The other surveys are the Queen Charlotte Sound (QCS) survey, the Hecate Strait (HS) survey, the West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) survey, and the Strait of Georgia (SOG) survey. The objectives of these surveys are to provide fishery independent abundance indices of all demersal fish species available to bottom trawling and to collect biological samples of selected species. The survey follows a random depth-stratified design and the sampling units are 2 km by 2 km blocks. The synoptic bottom trawl surveys are conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) in collaboration with the Canadian Groundfish Research and Conservation Society (CGRCS), a non-profit society composed of participants in the British Columbia commercial groundfish trawl fishery. The Queen Charlotte Sound and West Coast Haida Gwaii surveys are conducted under collaborative agreements, with the CGRCS providing chartered commercial fishing vessels and field technicians, while DFO provides in-kind contributions for running the surveys including personnel and equipment. The Hecate Strait, West Coast Vancouver Island, and Strait of Georgia surveys are conducted by DFO and have typically taken place on a Canadian Coast Guard research vessel. Until 2016 this vessel was the CCGS W.E. Ricker. From 2021 onwards, this vessel was the CCGS Sir John Franklin. In years when a coast guard vessel has not been available, the Hecate Strait, West Coast Vancouver Island, and Strait of Georgia surveys have taken place on chartered industry vessels. Data from these surveys are also presented in the groundfish data synopsis report (Anderson et al. 2019).EffortThis table contains information about the survey trips and fishing events (trawl tows/sets) that are part of this survey series. Trip-level information includes the year the survey took place, a unique trip identifier, the vessel that conducted the survey, and the trip start and end dates (the dates the vessel was away from the dock conducting the survey). Set-level information includes the date, time, location, and depth that fishing took place, as well as information that can be used to calculate fishing effort (duration) and swept area. All successful fishing events are included, regardless of what was caught.CatchThis table contains the catch information from successful fishing events. Catches are identified to species or to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Most catches are weighed, but some are too small (“trace” amounts) or too large (e.g. very large Big Skate). The unique trip identifier and set number are included so that catches can be related to the fishing event information (including capture location).BiologyThis table contains the available biological data for catches which were sampled. Data may include any or all of length, sex, weight, age. Different length types are measured depending on the species. Age structures are collected when possible for species where validated aging methods exist and are archived until required for an assessment; therefore, all existing structures have not been aged at this time. The unique trip identifier and set number are included so that samples can be related to the fishing event and catch information.BiomassThis table contains relative biomass indices of species that have been captured in every survey of the time series. The coefficient of variation and bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals are provided for each index. The groundfish data synopsis report (Anderson et al. 2019) provides an explanation of how the relative biomass indices are derived. Note that we do not calculate a biomass index for the 2014 West Coast Haida Gwaii survey, as this survey was incomplete due to operational problems.

PURPOSE:To provide demographic parameters and relative indices of abundance for Atlantic herring in NAFO Division 4T.DESCRIPTION:The experimental gillnet survey is conducted in collaboration with Atlantic herring harvesters and uses standardized multi-mesh gillnets. Gillnets are set on spawning grounds in the spring and fall. Data (fish and sample) are collected to provide: (1) relative age-disaggregated indices of abundance, (2) an indicator of relative changes in fishery selectivity over time, and (3) information on the demographic composition of herring on the spawning grounds. PARAMETERS COLLECTED:Sample: sample location; sample weight; mesh size; length frequencyBiological: length; weight; gonad weight; maturity stage (biological); sex (biological); ring count (biological)USE LIMITATION:To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.

"Fall" missions occur primarily in October and November, but sets from September and December are also present in the data. Collected data includes total catch in numbers and weights by species. Length frequency data is available for most species, as are the age, sex, maturity and weight information for a subset of the individual animals. Other data such as ageing material, genetic material, and stomach contents are often also collected, but are stored elsewhere."Fall" cruises occur in September, October, November and December.Cite this data as: Clark, D., Emberley, J. Data of Maritimes Fall Research Vessel Survey. Published January 2021. Population Ecology Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/5f82b379-c1e5-4a02-b825-f34fc645a529

PURPOSE:The purpose of this work was to determine (1) how the population genomic structure relates to gut microbiota composition of White Hake (Urophycis tenuis), and (2) whether microbiota community variation provides complementary insights into population structure of this species in eastern Canada.DESCRIPTION:Integrating host-associated microbiota with genomic approaches offers an opportunity to better understand the multiple biological dimensions shaping population structure in marine fishes. A clear understanding of population structure and dynamics is essential for informed fisheries management and conservation decisions; however, while genomic approaches have greatly improved our ability to delineate biological populations, they provide only a partial representation of biological structure, as patterns of differentiation reflect both historical divergence and contemporary ecological conditions. Host-associated microbiota can influence population-level ecological processes by contributing functional, potentially heritable variation that shapes host phenotype and fitness.In this study, we combined genotyping-by-sequencing with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to examine how population genomic structure relates to gut microbiota composition and to evaluate whether microbiota community variation provides complementary insights into population structure in White Hake (Urophycis tenuis) in eastern Canada. Genomic analyses identified two populations with greater spatial overlap than previously reported. Variation partitioning revealed that host genetics explained a negligible proportion of microbiota variation compared to environmental factors and fish length, suggesting that ontogenetic shifts in habitat use and resource acquisition influence gut microbiota composition. Several taxa were differentially abundant among fish length categories used as a proxy for diet, including taxa with chitin-degrading potential such as Photobacterium and Lachnospirales, which were enriched in smaller fish known to consume a crustacean-dominated diet. Together, these results indicate that gut microbiota composition in White Hake primarily reflects ecological and life-history processes rather than host population structure. PARAMETERS COLLECTED:Environmental parameters were also collected at most sampling sites, including depth, water temperature, oxygen and salinity levels.PHYSICAL SAMPLE DETAILS:Fin samples were collected to characterize the fish genotypes. Intestine (rectum) samples were collected to study fish gut microbiome.SAMPLING METHODS:In 2022 and 2023, White Hake were sampled during Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) annual bottom trawl ecosystem monitoring surveys.USE LIMITATION:To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.

Catch, effort, location (latitude and longitude), and associated biological data from the Eulachon Migration Study Bottom Trawl surveys - South on the coast of British Columbia.Introduction:The Eulachon Migration Study Bottom Trawl survey - South (Eul-S) is part of the in the Eulachon Migration Study Bottom Trawl survey series and took place on the coast of British Columbia. The other survey in this series is the Eulachon Migration Study Bottom Trawl survey – North (Eul-N).The Eulachon Migration Study Bottom Trawl survey - South (Eul-S) was conducted monthly from October 2017 to March 2018 with an additional trip in January 2019 and was funded by the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) National Rotational Survey Fund.The objective of this survey was learn about the distribution, ecology, and migration times of Eulachon into the Fraser River by observing their spatial and temporal occurrence and biological condition over a wide survey region and over several months. This survey follows a random block design in a targeted depth range between 80 – 200 metres. The sampling units are 2 km by 2 km blocks. Fishing was conducted using the Canadian Coast Guard Research Vessel Neocaligus to tow an American shrimp trawl net (Cantrawl Nets Ltd., Richmond, BC). The horizontal opening of the polypropylene net was estimated to be 34 to 37 feet (10 to 11 m), while the center of the opening had a vertical height of approximately 7 to 9 feet (2 to 3 m). A 0.4” (10 mm) liner was used in the codend. The net was configured with roller gear and 72” (1.8 m) Thyboron Type 2 trawl doors. Tow duration was typically 20 minutes. The standard hours of fishing were 0700 to 1700 hours, depending on sunrise and sunset in winter months.The Eulachon Migration Study Bottom Trawl survey – South was conducted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). The area the survey covered included the Strait of Georgia, Juan de Fuca Strait, and Haro Strait in Pacific Fishery Management areas (PFMA’s) 17-20, 28, 29, and 121.Effort:This table contains information about the survey trips and fishing events (trawl tows/sets) that are part of this survey series. Trip-level information includes the year the survey took place, a unique trip identifier, the vessel that conducted the survey, and the trip start and end dates (the dates the vessel was away from the dock conducting the survey). Set-level information includes the date, time, location, and depth that fishing took place, as well as information that can be used to calculate fishing effort (duration) and swept area. All successful fishing events are included, regardless of what was caught.Catch:This table contains the catch information from successful fishing events. Catches are identified to species or to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Most catches are weighed, but some are too small (“trace” amounts) or too large (e.g. very large Big Skate). The unique trip identifier and set number are included so that catches can be related to the fishing event information (including capture location).Biology:This table contains Eulachon biological data including length, sex, and weight. Information is provided on whether stomachs or teeth were examined, and whether genetics (DNA) samples were collected. Eulachon maturity data, diet data, and teeth presence data are available on request from the data contacts. Additional analyses are ongoing, including histology, fatty acid profiling, and genetic analysis; frozen heads are also available for a future aging project. In addition to the Eulachon biological data, lengths and weights were collected from American Shad. The unique trip identifier and set number are included so that samples can be related to the fishing event and catch information.