An exploratory fishery was carried out in the Mackenzie River Delta between 1989 and 1993 at the request of the Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee to assess the commercial fishery potential in this area. Data collected during this exploratory fishery was used in two technical reports. Broad whitefish were the target species of this fishery (DFO Technical Report 2180), however other species such as northern pike, inconnu, and lake whitefish were also harvested (DFO Technical Report 2330).Biological data from broad whitefish (fork length, age, gonadosomatic index and instantaneous mortality) were analyzed to assess the impact of an exploratory fishery in the Mackenzie River Delta. The data were collected using variable mesh experimental gill nets and commercial harvesters' 139 mm (5.5”) mesh gill nets. The data suggest that the broad whitefish population might be separated, with larger mature spawners gathering in the main channels prior to spawning and smaller, immature or resting fish staying in side channels away from strong currents. From this analysis we conclude that the size and structure of the broad whitefish population(s) found in this area are stable at the current level of total harvest (commercial and subsistence combined) There may be room for increased harvests but to what level is uncertain.Biological data from northern pike, inconnu, and lake whitefish were analyzed to assess the impact of the fishery on population abundance and structure. All three by catch species support subsistence fisheries in the Mackenzie Delta. lnconnu and lake whitefish migrate substantial distances, crossing land claim borders and are likely fished by a variety of user groups. Northern pike, on the other hand tend to be non-migratory with localized populations that are mainly fished by people living in the near vicinity. A concern was that commercial fishing pressure might reduce the numbers of fish available to subsistence users. Based on trends in size and age frequency, age at maturity, sex ratio, growth rates, and mortality rates, we conclude that inconnu and lake whitefish populations in the Mackenzie Delta have remained healthy and stable at the current harvest levels, however northern pike populations showed a decrease in the proportion of older fish, possibly indicating over-fishing of local stocks. lnconnu and lake whitefish may be able to withstand increased harvest, but to what extent is unknown, given that little reliable information is available on subsistence harvest levels in this region. Increasing harvest levels of pike may be risky and we suggest that a reduction of current commercial harvest quotas be considered.

The Scotian Shelf population of northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus) is listed as Endangered under Canada’s Species at Risk Act. Partial critical habitat was identified for this population in the Recovery Strategy first published in 2010 (Fisheries and Oceans Canada 2016), and three critical habitat areas were designated along the eastern Scotian Shelf, encompassing the Gully, Shortland Canyon, and Haldimand Canyon (shapefile available online: https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/db177a8c-5d7d-49eb-8290-31e6a45d786c). However, the Recovery Strategy recognized that additional areas may constitute critical habitat for the population and recommended further studies based on acoustic and visual monitoring to assess the importance of inter-canyon areas as foraging habitat and transit corridors for northern bottlenose whales.In a subsequent study of the distribution, movements, and habitat use of northern bottlenose whales on the eastern Scotian Shelf (Stanistreet et al. in press), several sources of data were assessed and additional important habitat was identified in the inter-canyon areas located between the Gully, Shortland Canyon, and Haldimand Canyon (DFO 2020). A summary of the data inputs, analyses, and limitations is provided below.Year-round passive acoustic monitoring conducted with bottom-mounted recorders at two inter-canyon sites from 2012-2014 revealed the presence and foraging activity of northern bottlenose whales in these areas throughout much of the year, with a seasonal peak in acoustic detections during the spring. Detections from acoustic recordings collected during vessel-based surveys provided additional evidence of species occurrence in inter-canyon areas during the summer months. Photo-identification data collected in the Gully, Shortland, and Haldimand canyons between 2001 and 2017 were used to model the residency and movement patterns of northern bottlenose whales within and between the canyons, and demonstrated that individuals regularly moved between the three canyons as well as to and from outside areas. Together, these results indicated a strong degree of connectivity between the Gully, Shortland, and Haldimand canyons, and provided evidence that the inter-canyon areas function as important foraging habitat and movement corridors for Scotian Shelf northern bottlenose whales. The inter-canyon habitat area polygon was delineated using the 500 m depth contour and straight lines connecting the southeast corners of the existing critical habitat areas, but these boundaries are based on limited spatial information on the presence of northern bottlenose whales in deeper waters. More data are needed to determine whether this area fully encompasses important inter-canyon habitat, particularly in regard to the deeper southeastern boundary. Similarly, the full extent of important habitat for Scotian Shelf northern bottlenose whales remains unknown, and potential critical habitat areas outside the canyons and inter-canyon areas on the eastern Scotian Shelf have not been fully assessed. See DFO (2020) for further information.References:DFO. 2020. Assessment of the Distribution, Movements, and Habitat Use of Northern Bottlenose Whales on the Scotian Shelf to Support the Identification of Important Habitat. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2020/008. https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/SAR-AS/2020/2020_008-eng.html Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2016. Recovery Strategy for the Northern Bottlenose Whale, (Hyperoodan ampullatus), Scotian Shelf population, in Atlantic Canadian Waters [Final]. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa. vii + 70 pp. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/recovery-strategies/northern-bottlenose-whale-scotian-shelf.html Stanistreet, J.E., Feyrer, L.J., and Moors-Murphy, H.B. In press. Distribution, movements, and habitat use of northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus) on the Scotian Shelf. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. [https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2022/mpo-dfo/fs70-5/Fs70-5-2021-074-eng.pdf]Cite this data as: Stanistreet, J.E., Feyrer, L.J., and Moors-Murphy, H.B. Data of: Northern bottlenose whale important habitat in inter-canyon areas on the eastern Scotian Shelf. Published: June 2021. Ocean Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/9fd7d004-970c-11eb-a2f3-1860247f53e3

The Plains, Northern, Foothills Boundary feature class contains polygon features representing Department of Energy Regional Boundaries for the Province of Alberta.

The Oil and Gas Rights dataset contains the digital boundaries for existing exploration licences, significant discovery licences, production licences, former permits, former leases and the Norman Wells Proven Area. These boundaries are available for download on the Northern petroleum pesources Website at https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100036087/1538585604719.The Oil and Gas Rights dataset is Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) primary source for northern petroleum titles geographic location on maps.

1:50,000 habitat mapping for northern caribou in the Itcha and Ilgachuz Mtn. Areas, circa 1986.

Zooplankton data collected during surveys conducted in the central and northern Strait of Georgia, 1996-2018.

The purpose is to provide end users with a digital data representing the boundaries of incorporated municipalities in Manitoba. It also enables users of Manitoba spatial data to identify which municipality selected features fall within.This dataset is comprised of boundary geometry for all of the incorporated municipalities and Northern Affairs Communities within the Province of Manitoba.  The boundaries in this dataset represent the descriptions set forth in the Municipal Status and Boundaries Regulation (567/88R) and subsequent amendments, and regulations under The Northern Affairs Act.  The geospatial referencing of the Municipal Boundaries is based on the best available land parcel data for each municipality and Northern Affairs Community.  Where available, cadastral data based on registered survey plans was used.  Otherwise, the Manitoba Property Assessment Information dataset produced by Manitoba Municipal Relations was used.  The delineation of the boundaries was established according to the regulation establishing or amending the boundary of a municipality or Northern Affairs Community.  Dataset content is subject to:  Ongoing changes in municipal status and boundary and Northern Affairs Community boundary alterations that are generated through annexations, amalgamations, dissolutions or formations, all of which are approved by regulations made under The Municipal Act (for incorporated municipalities) and The Northern Affairs Act (for Northern Affairs Communities).  This dataset content is current to the most recent effective date of any such regulation amendment.   Ongoing development and maintenance of the land parcel datasets.  Improvements to the cadastral data are used to improve the positional accuracy of the municipal boundary polygons.   As of the publication date of this dataset the following known issues remain:  For municipal boundaries and Northern Affairs Communities that include water boundaries, such as in the Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba areas the water boundary portion that best reflects the municipal boundary was used.     In some instances, road allowances on a municipal boundary are included in both of the adjoining municipalities.   Please visit the Manitoba Municipal Relations website for more information www.gov.mb.ca/mr/land_use_dev/index.html.   The Manitoba Municipal Boundaries data reflects the status of municipal boundaries and Northern Affairs Communities at the time of export and was uploaded to Manitoba Maps as a feature layer. Fields Included: OBJECTID: Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated MUNI_NO: Manitoba municipality identifier number MUNI_NAME: Legal name of municipality MUNI_TYPE: Type of municipality MUNI_LIST_NAME: Name of municipality suitable for alphabetical list MUNI_LIST_NAME_WITH_TYPE: Name of municipality suitable for alphabetical list including type

This hexagonal polygon dataset identifies potential suitable nesting habitat for Northern Goshawk (NOGO) within the Cariboo Natural Resource Region.

This hexagonal polygon dataset identifies potential suitable foraging habitat for Northern Goshawk (NOGO) within the Cariboo Natural Resource Region.

Portions of Universal Transverse Mercator Zones 7 - 12 which cover British Columbia, Northern Hemisphere only, formed into polygons, in BC Albers projection