Important sites: reproduction, feeding and concentration area. Data extracted from the Fish Habitat Management Information System (FHAMIS) according to a literature review of documents produced between 1976 and 1999.

11 tagged Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) were tracked during the daytime movements as well as the feeding behaviour in the St. Lawrence River estuary. Kernel density was applied to derminate the high density feeding areas of all individuals combined (30, 40, 50, 60, 75, 95 %).Doniol-Valcroze T, Lesage V, Giard J, Michaud R, 2012. Challenges in marine mammal habitat modelling: evidence of multiple foraging habitats from the identification of feeding events in blue whales. Endang Species Res, Vol. 17 : 255–268, doi : 10.3354/esr00427(English version only)

Feeding areas, breeding areas, concentration and specie present. Data extracted from the Fish Habitat Management Information System (FHAMIS) according to a literature review of documents produced between between 1977 and 2001

The wildlife values area and site datasets represent the consolidation of 13 wildlife data classes collected by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The data estimates locations used by wildlife for various reasons, including: * breeding * calving and fawning * denning * feeding * staging * nesting * wintering * general habitat areas * nurseries * travel corridors Locations are represented as points (site) or polygons (area) and may be related to a specific species or described more generally. Wildlife values data is most often used to support policy and legislation associated with the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. The data may also be used to inform a wide range of resource management activities and decisions. There are additional sensitive features related to provincially tracked species and species at risk that are not available as part of the open data package. Sensitive features are subject to licensing and approvals and may be requested by contacting [geospatial@ontario.ca](geospatial@ontario.ca).

A modelling analysis conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) identified these areas as the most suitable habitat for Blue whales: Gulf of St. Lawrence, waters off the southern coast of Newfoundland, the region of Mecatina Trough, the Esquiman Channel and the continental shelf margin off Nova Scotia. They represent important areas for foraging, feeding and socializing for Blue whales. The sources of data used to determine these important areas (by the enclosing boxes method) and the annual and seasonal cycles of Blue whale travel patterns include, but are not limited to, radio and satellite telemetry, passive acoustic monitoring, line-transect aerial surveys, anecdotal reports of observations and modelling.This layer does not represent the general distribution of the Blue whale. Important areas have been identified by reviewing several sources of information and to the best of researchers' knowledge. Several information about Blue whales, their behaviour and habitat use are still unknown. Data is scarce in some areas during winter periods. Observation efforts mostly occur during the summer period, however, data sources can validate their presence during seasons when the observation effort is lower. The Mecatina trough region represents an important area based on historical and non-current data. The presence data per month refers strictly to the information available in the cited research document, and does not express the absence of the species outside the months when a presence was validated. The presented information is valid until the following research survey.Reference:Lesage, V., J.-F. Gosselin, J. W. Lawson, I. McQuinn, H. Moors-Murphy, S. Plourde, R. Sears. and Y. Simard. 2018. Habitats important to blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) in the Western North Atlantic. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/080: iv + 50 p.

Situated in the Gwich’in settlement Area (GSA), the Rat River is inhabited by anadromous Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma malma) that are harvested by both Gwich’in and Inuvialuit beneficiaries. The harvest of Dolly Varden from the Rat River occurs during the summer at feeding areas along the coast (by the Inuvialuit) and during upstream migration in the Mackenzie Delta (by both Gwich’in and Inuvialuit). Dolly Varden stocks are co-managed under an Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) whose signatories include Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board, Fisheries Joint Management Committee, and Parks Canada Agency. The Rat River Working Group, the co-management body that makes recommendations for harvest levels for Dolly Varden stocks in the GSA, has supported research activities that facilitate implementation of the IFMP, including studies to monitor harvest levels and assess population status. Population studies (e.g., abundance estimates, biological and genetic sampling) and coastal harvest monitoring activities allow for a comprehensive assessment of this stock. The data are used to inform co-management partners on the status of Dolly Varden from the Rat River.

Atlantic sturgeon. Important sites: reproduction, feeding juvenile and adult concentration area. Data extracted from the Fish Habitat Management Information System (FHAMIS) according to a literature review of documents produced between 1978 and 2002.

Lake sturgeon's presence zones, breeding, feeding and concentration areas according to a literature review of documents produced between 1976 and 2002.Data extracted from the Fish Habitat Management Information System (FHAMIS).

Layer that includes the known information on harbor seal breeding and feeding areas in the Saguenay Fjord, the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence according to a literature review of documents produced between 1968 and 2001.Additional InformationHarbor seal breeding and feeding areas were produced according to a literature review of the following documents: Andersen, A. et M. Gagnon. 1980. Les ressources halieutiques de l'estuaire du Saint-Laurent. Rapp. can. ind. sci. halieut. aquat., 119: iv + 56 p.Communications personnelles par Fournier, C. 1999.Communications personnelles par Gosselin, J-F-. 1996.Communications personnelles par Gosselin. J.-F. 2001.Communications personnelles par Lavigueur, L. 1996.Dignard, N., R. Lalumière, A. Reed et M. Julien. 1991. Les habitats côtiers du nord-est de la Baie James. Publication hors-série no. 70. Environnement Canada, Service canadien de la faune. 30 p. + carte.Enquête auprès des pêcheurs et agents du MEF et du MPO. 1995.Mansfield, A. W. 1968. Seals and walruses. In: Beals, C.S., ed. Science, History and Hudson Bay. Vol. 1. Ottawa: Queen’s Printer. 501 p.

Layer that includes the known information on lake sturgeon breeding, feeding and concentration areas in the St. Lawrence River and Estuary according to a literature review of documents produced between 1976 and 2002.Additional InformationLake sturgeon's breeding, feeding and concentration areas were produced according to a literature review of the following documents:Blais, J.-P. et V. Legendre. 1976. La ouananiche, Salmo salar, du lac Tremblant, Québec. Québec, Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Direction régionale de Montréal, Rapp. tech. 06-11, 116 p.Bouthillier, L., P. Dumont et G. Roy. 1993. Répertoire des habitats du poisson de la région de Montréal, Québec. Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche du Québec, Direction régionale de Montréal. ii + 6 p. + fiches d'habitats + 18 cartes d'habitats à l'échelle 1:50 000 + bibliographie 15 p.Desjardins, S. et P. Dumont. 1990. Avis du ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche au sujet de l'acceptabilité environnementale du projet Soligaz. Québec, Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Direction régionale de Montréal.Dimension Environnement SNC. 1990. Évaluation de l'abondance de l'Esturgeon jaune (Acipenser fulvescens) dans la baie du Cap St-Michel. Rapport complémentaire présenté au ministère de l'Environnement du Québec dans le cadre de l'étude d'impact sur l'environnement du projet Soligaz, Montréal, 24 p.Dumont, P. et R. Fortin. 1977. Relations entre les niveaux d'eau printaniers et la reproduction du Grand Brochet du Haut-Richelieu et de la baie Missisquoi. Université du Québec à Montréal, Département des sciences biologiques, pour le Bureau international Champlain Richelieu, Comité d'impact sur l'environnement, x + 108 p.Dumont, P., J. Leclerc et L. Bouthillier. 1989b. Données d'inventaire, marais Fraser, lac Saint-François, Cazaville. Été 1989. Québec, Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Service de l'aménage¬ment et de l'exploitation de la faune, Montréal. [Données non publiées].Dumont, P., J. Leclerc et Y. Chagnon. 1990. Pêche électrique sur la rivière Yamaska le 18 avril 1990. Québec, Ministère du Loisir de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Service de l'aménagement et de l'exploitation de la faune, Montréal. [Données non publiées].Enquête auprès des pêcheurs et agents du MEF et du MPO. 1995.Fournier, P. et L.-M. Soyez. 1988. Étude de l'utilisation faunique printanière du marais de Rosemère. Québec, Ministre du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Service de l'aménagement et de l'exploitation de la faune, Montréal, 13 p.Gendron, M. 1986. Rivière-des-Prairies. Aménagement d'un haut-fond, printemps 1986. Groupe de recherche SEEEQ ltée pour la Direction Environnement d'Hydro-Québec, 103 p.Gendron, M. 1987. Rivière-des-Prairies. Suivi de l'aménagement d'un haut-fond, printemps 1987. Le Groupe de recherche SEEEQ ltée pour la Direction Environnement d'Hydro-Québec, 60 p.Gendron, M. 1988. Rivière-des-Prairies. Suivi de l'aménagement du haut-fond, synthèse 1982-1988. Le Groupe de recherche SEEEQ ltée pour le Service de recherche en environnement et santé publique, Vice-Présidence Environnement, Hydro-Québec, 95 p.LaHaye, M. et R. Fortin. 1990. Caractérisation de l'habitat de fraie et de l'habitat des juvéniles de l'Esturgeon jaune (Acipenser fulvescens) dans la région de Montréal. Rapport de recherche préparé pour le Département des sciences biologiques de l'Université du Québec à Montréal, 81 p. + annexes.Letendre, M., B. Dumas et M. Beaudoin. 1990. Inventaire de la rivière des Prairies, au niveau de l'île de Pierre. Québec, Ministère du Loisir de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Service de l'aménagement et de l'exploitation de la faune, Montréal. [Travaux en cours].Société de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec. 2000. Atlas des habitats critiques connus ou d'intérêt particulier pour les poissons du fleuve Saint-Laurent entre le port de Montréal et l'Île aux Coudres. Direction du développement de la faune.Therrien, J., Marquis, H., Shooner, G. et Bérubé, P. 1991. Caractérisation des habitats recherchés pour la fraie des principales espèces de poisson du fleuve Saint-Laurent (Cornwall à Montmagny). Études réalisées par le Groupe Environnement Shooner inc. Pour le compte des ministères des Pêches et des Océans et de l'Environnement du Canada. 16 pages. Un atlas accompagne ce document.Tremblay, S. 1996. Caractérisation de la pêcherie commerciale à l'esturgeon noir (Acipenser oxyrinchus) dans le secteur de Montmagny en 1994. Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Faune, Direction de la faune et des habitats. Rapport technique. 27 p.Trencia, G. 2002. Communication personnelle avec Guy Trencia, Faune et Parcs Québec.