This project was completed by the Productive Capacity group (Coastal and Freshwater Ecology Section) in the Newfoundland and Labrador Science Branch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). American lobster (Homarus americanus) is a commercially important decapod crustacean species along the east coast of North America, ranging from the Labrador coast south to Cape Hatteras. Juvenile lobster < 40 mm CL (carapace length) recruitment has been studied extensively in the southern portions of their range. However, investigations of settlement habitat association and recruitment of juvenile lobster in the northern extremes along the Newfoundland coast have been largely unsuccessful. We investigated juvenile lobster density, habitat, and depth associations in three areas of Newfoundland, using scuba – Port Saunders area, 8 dives conducted 28 September - 2 October 2017, and Burin Peninsula 10 dives (7 Placentia Bay, 3 Fortune Bay) conducted 30 September - 4 October 2018 over a total seabed area of 9,138 m2, within 200 meters of shore. Port Saunders and Fortune Bay had relatively higher lobster density (0.09 and 0.40 m-2, respectively); >65% were juveniles, in contrast to Placentia Bay where lobster densities of all size groups were low (mean 0.01 m-2) and no juvenile lobsters were observed at all. Where observed all juvenile lobster were significantly associated with shallow (<6 m) habitat and showed no overlap with distribution of adults (>82.5 mm CL) which we observed at depths 6 to 17 m. Our sites were dominated by varying mixes of cobble and pebble (77%); rock/bedrock (12%) and mud/sand/small pebble (11%) substrates interspersed with overlying kelp (32%) and eelgrass (11%) vegetation. We observed no significant associations with substrate or vegetation. This record contains the geographic locations of the 7 Placentia Bay sites surveyed, and information on the timing and type of data collected at each site, which was one component supported by Coastal Environmental Baseline Program of a larger collaborative project.

The Indian Reserve dataset is comprised of all the polygons that represent Indian Reserves in Alberta and also includes their associated Bands/Nations and Tribal Council associations as described in the Canada First Nations Profile (https://fnp-ppn.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/fnp/Main/Search/SearchRV.aspx?lang=eng). Indian Reserve lands are lands set aside for the exclusive use and benefits of the Bands/Nations to which it is assigned. The federal government has primary jurisdiction over these lands and the people living on them. A Band or First Nation is an administrative entity/governing body created by the Indian Act. A Band/Nation includes members of a First Nation or group for whom lands have been set apart, and for whom money is held by the Crown. Each First Nation has its own distinct culture, language, history, and governance structure. They are the primary decision-makers for their respective Indian Reserves and their members. The Government of Alberta recognizes certain nations as individuals that the Federal Government does not recognize. These Nation names will be formatted as 'Federally recognized community [Alberta Recognized Nation]'.A Tribal Council is a grouping of bands/Nations with common interests who voluntarily join together to provide advisory and/or program services to member bands. A First Nation may choose to affiliate with a Tribal Council to achieve shared goals in areas such as economic development, social services, education, or land management.

This data is from the Newfoundland and Labrador Region Inshore Trap survey, specific to Snow Crab from 2018-25, with only successful sets included in the database. Details of annual survey coverage and an overview of the survey program can be found in Pantin et al. (2025). This trap survey follows a depth-stratified random survey design, designated by type = 1 (Survey). Data were available from DFO inshore trap surveys in Fortune Bay, St. Mary’s Bay, Conception Bay, Trinity Bay, Bonavista Bay, Notre Dame Bay, White Bay, and infrequently along the Northeast Avalon Peninsula. All surveys follow a depth-stratified survey design with set locations randomly distributed within each stratum, and stratum-specific set allocations weighted by area. All surveys utilize large-mesh (5.25”) and small-mesh (42 mm) traps intermittently placed within each ‘fleet’ of gear, with traps spaced approximately 45 m (i.e., 25 fathoms) apart. Each fleet includes six baited traps, with two additional end traps not baited. Squid (Illex spp.) hung on skivers is attached to the inner entry cone of each trap as bait, with approximately 2–3 pounds of squid on each skiver. Although soak times are intended to be standardized to 24–48 hours, weather and other factors can affect the surveys and soak times are ultimately variable. Biological sampling is conducted at-sea from all traps at each station and is described in Pantin et al. (2025). Whole weights of Snow Crab are not always taken for every crab (e.g., in poor weather, missing limbs, carapace covered in biofouling) and those without measurements are denoted by an NA in the dataset. Analyses by the DFO NL Snow Crab group apply a length-weight relationship to determine weights, which is not in this dataset. Traps that caught zero Snow Crab are denoted in the dataset by a ‘number’ of 0.References:Pantin, J., D. Mullowney, K. Baker, K. Lefort, W. Coffey, F. Cyr, H. Munro, and Koen-Alonso, M. 2025. An Assessment of Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in 2023. DFO. Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2025/080. iv + 152 p.

This data is from the Newfoundland and Labrador Region Multispecies Trawl survey, specific to Snow Crab from 2018-25, with only successful tows included in the database. Details of annual survey coverage and an overview of the survey program can be found in Rideout et al. (2025) and references therein. This trawl survey follows a depth-stratified random design, designated by type = 1 (Survey). From 2021-23, a comparative fishing program (i.e., direct side-by-side paired comparison between old and new vessels) was undertaken to determine differences in catchability due to vessel changes and associated modifications to the trawl gear with the retirement of the CCGS Alfred Needler and CCGS Teleost (called ‘old vessels’) and the introduction of the CCGS Capt. Jacques Cartier and CCGS John Cabot (called ‘new vessels’). During this period other set types are in the dataset (6 and 7) from paired tows and all station allocation may not have been stratified random. The DFO NL Region comparative fishing success varied by year, NAFO division, and vessel combinations and resulted in conversion factors to adjust the catches of Snow Crab in the old vessels time series into the same units as the new vessels. Methodologies and conversion factors are described in Wheeland et al. (2024), Trueman et al. (2025), Trueman et al. (2026), and Pantin et al. (in prep). Conversion factors have been applied to the numbers of Snow Crab caught, where conversion factors exist, and are in the converted_number column. An NA in the converted_number column indicates that conversion factors do not exist for this vessel/area combination and therefore direct comparisons cannot be made between old vessels and new vessels. Weights are those recorded at sea and do not have conversion factors applied. Analyses by the DFO NL Snow Crab group apply a length-weight relationship to the converted numbers to determine converted weights, which is not in this dataset. All reasonable attempts are made to standardize fishing time during trawl surveys, however there is always some variation in the actual time on bottom. The species weights and numbers in this dataset are not standardized for tow distance/duration. Spatial coverage of this survey has varied over time, therefore, not all divisions, or depths within divisions, are sampled every year or season. Biological measurements are described in Pantin et al. (2025). Tows that caught zero Snow Crab are denoted in the dataset by a ‘number’ of 0.References:McCallum, B. R., and S. J. Walsh. 1996. Groundfish survey trawls used at the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, 1971-present. NAFO Sci. Coun. Studies, 29: 93-104.Pantin, J., D. Mullowney, K. Baker, K. Lefort, W. Coffey, F. Cyr, H. Munro, and Koen-Alonso, M. 2025. An Assessment of Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in 2023. DFO. Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2025/080. iv + 152 p.Pantin, J., Charmley, K., Mullowney, D., Baker, K., Lefort, K., Coyne, J., Munro, H., and Koen-Alonso, M. In prep. An Assessment of Newfoundland and Labrador Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in 2024. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. year/nnn.Rideout, R.M., Wheeland, L., Perreault, A., Regular, P., Skanes, K., Simms, L., and Makrides, J. 2025. Canadian (Newfoundland and Labrador Region) Multi-Species Research vessel Bottom Trawl Survey Report for Surveys Conducted in 2024. NAFO SCR Doc. 25/028: 1-68.Trueman, S., Wheeland, L., Benoît, H., Munro, H., Nguyen, T., Novaczek, E., Skanes, K., and Yin, Y. 2025. Results of Comparative Fishing Between the CCGS Teleost and CCGS Alfred Needler with the CCGS John Cabot and CCGS Capt. Jacques Cartier in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region in 2021 and 2022. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2025/021. v + 237 p. Trueman, S., Wheeland, L., Pantin, J., Baker, K., and Mullowney, D. 2026. On the relative catchability of Snow Crab in the Newfoundland and Labrador Multispecies trawl surveys. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2026/008. iv + 41 p. Wheeland, L., Skanes, K. and Trueman, S. 2024. Summary of Comparative Fishing Data Collected in Newfoundland & Labrador from 2021-2022. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3579: iv + 132 p.

The Marine Geoscience for Marine Spatial Planning (MGMSP) program, implemented byNatural Resources Canada (NRCan), is an initiative with the goal of offering innovativeregional geoscience products to support the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) intheir Marine Spatial Planning endeavors. To develop spatial management plans for variousexpansive bioregions across Canada, the DFO has undertaken the task of creatingcomprehensive ocean management strategies. Presently, the MGMSP program isconcentrating its efforts on two significant bioregions, namely the Scotian Shelf andNewfoundland and Labrador Shelves bioregions.In pursuit of this objective, the work presented in this report has focused on theassimilation and gridding of numerous disparate bathymetry datasets sourced fromauthoritative and reliable channels. The purpose of this comprehensive data gatheringapproach is to establish a unified bathymetric grid, with a consistent spatial resolution,which can be utilized in both oceanographic modeling and geological interpretation. Bycollating information from a diverse range of sources, we aim to create a comprehensiveand reliable foundation that will enable accurate and informed decision-making in the fieldof marine spatial planning, as well as enhance the accuracy and reliability of subsequentanalyses and simulations.

Toponymic Features entity is Named Feature (geographical name or toponym). CanVec is a digital cartographic reference product of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). It originates from the best available data sources covering Canadian territory, offers quality topographical information in vector format, and complies with international geomatics standards. CanVec is a multi-source product coming mainly from the National Topographic Data Base (NTDB), the Mapping the North process conducted by the Canada Center for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO), the Atlas of Canada data, the GeoBase initiative, and the data update using satellite imagery coverage (e.g. Landsat 7, Spot, Radarsat, etc.).Distributed from [GeoYukon](https://yukon.ca/geoyukon) by the [Government of Yukon](https://yukon.ca/maps) . 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)

Toponymic Features entity is Named Feature (geographical name or toponym). CanVec is a digital cartographic reference product of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). It originates from the best available data sources covering Canadian territory, offers quality topographical information in vector format, and complies with international geomatics standards. CanVec is a multi-source product coming mainly from the National Topographic Data Base (NTDB), the Mapping the North process conducted by the Canada Center for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO), the Atlas of Canada data, the GeoBase initiative, and the data update using satellite imagery coverage (e.g. Landsat 7, Spot, Radarsat, etc.).Distributed from [GeoYukon](https://yukon.ca/geoyukon) by the [Government of Yukon](https://yukon.ca/maps) . 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)

Toponymic Features entity is Named Feature (geographical name or toponym). CanVec is a digital cartographic reference product of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). It originates from the best available data sources covering Canadian territory, offers quality topographical information in vector format, and complies with international geomatics standards. CanVec is a multi-source product coming mainly from the National Topographic Data Base (NTDB), the Mapping the North process conducted by the Canada Center for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO), the Atlas of Canada data, the GeoBase initiative, and the data update using satellite imagery coverage (e.g. Landsat 7, Spot, Radarsat, etc.).Distributed from [GeoYukon](https://yukon.ca/geoyukon) by the [Government of Yukon](https://yukon.ca/maps) . Discover more digital map data and interactive maps from Yukon's digital map data collection.For more information: [geomatics.help@gov.yk. ca](mailto:geomatics.help@yukon.ca)

Land Features entities are: Island, Shoreline, Wooded Area, Saturated soil, Landform Feature (esker, sand\...), and Cut Line. CanVec is a digital cartographic reference product of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). It originates from the best available data sources covering Canadian territory, offers quality topographical information in vector format, and complies with international geomatics standards. CanVec is a multi-source product coming mainly from the National Topographic Data Base (NTDB), the Mapping the North process conducted by the Canada Center for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO), the Atlas of Canada data, the GeoBase initiative, and the data update using satellite imagery coverage (e.g. Landsat 7, Spot, Radarsat, etc.).Distributed from [GeoYukon](https://yukon.ca/geoyukon) by the [Government of Yukon](https://yukon.ca/maps) . 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)

Land Features entities are: Island, Shoreline, Wooded Area, Saturated soil, Landform Feature (esker, sand\...), and Cut Line. CanVec is a digital cartographic reference product of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). It originates from the best available data sources covering Canadian territory, offers quality topographical information in vector format, and complies with international geomatics standards. CanVec is a multi-source product coming mainly from the National Topographic Data Base (NTDB), the Mapping the North process conducted by the Canada Center for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO), the Atlas of Canada data, the GeoBase initiative, and the data update using satellite imagery coverage (e.g. Landsat 7, Spot, Radarsat, etc.).Distributed from [GeoYukon](https://yukon.ca/geoyukon) by the [Government of Yukon](https://yukon.ca/maps) . 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)