PURPOSE:The primary objective of this survey is to obtain an index of the abundance and biomass of American lobster (Homarus americanus) in the Northumberland Strait. This research survey also provides fisheries-independent information for all of the species captured by the trawl.DESCRIPTION:Catch weight, length frequencies, and biological information for crustaceans and fish caught during the annual July-August research vessel trawl survey in Northumberland Strait (NAFO Division 4T). Abundance indices and spatial distribution patterns of commercial and non-commercial crustaceans and other groundfish. PARAMETERS COLLECTED:The full catch is sorted to species, or lowest taxonomic group possible, and weighed. For lobster, carapace length, sex and carapace condition (i.e. stage of moult) are recorded. For female lobster, the presence or absence of eggs is noted and, starting in 2010, the stage of development of the eggs (i.e. new or old) when present was also recorded. Similarly, for crabs, the carapace width, sex and carapace condition (i.e. stage of moult) is recorded as is the presence or absence of eggs (for females). Fish sampling varied over the years but, starting in 2005, length has been recorded for all fish captured.For large catches, the complete catch is sorted and weighed, but sub-sampling, by species, is used for the other measurements.NOTES ON QUALITY CONTROL:Data are checked for irregularities.SAMPLING METHODS:The Northumberland Strait multi-species survey began in 2001 using a stratified random sampling plan. A random selection of sampling sites within the study area is now used. Sampling is completed annually over a 4-week period in July and August. One hundred ten (110) stations are sampled in Northumberland Strait in water depths greater than 4 m at the lowest normal tide. The survey has employed a 286 Rockhopper trawl for all years from 2001 to 2018, except in 2010 and 2011, when a Nephrops trawl was used. In 2019, a new trawl (called the Northumberland trawl) was used in addition to the Rockhopper trawl. The Northumberland trawl is similar to the 286 Rockhopper trawl, but with a smaller footgear and smaller mesh sizes. At each station, the trawl is towed for a set period of time (recently 15 minutes with the rockhopper trawl and 10 minutes with the Northumberland trawl).USE LIMITATION:To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.

An annual trawl survey is conducted in Southwestern Nova Scotia and the Bay of Fundy to assess the lobster stocks in the area. The survey is conducted with the Northeast Fisheries Science Center Ecosystem Survey Trawl (NEST), a small mesh trawl with a cod end liner, which ensures the capture of various sizes of lobster. The dimensions and location of the trawl are monitored and recorded throughout the tow using an electronic trawl mensuration system. In addition, water temperature and depth are also monitored. The target tow length is 1 kilometer which is tracked using an Olex marine charting system. Vessel crew, DFO science staff and a contracted at sea observer work together to perform required tasks and collect all relevant data. Catch from each tow is separated by species, weighed and counted. Length frequency data is collected on select groundfish and crab species and detailed morphometric data is collected on each lobster.PARAMETERS COLLECTED:Set information and profile - includes set date, time depth and locationCatch summary - weight and number caught of each speciesLength Freqeuncies - completed for up to 100 fish for selected speciesLobster Morphological Data - detailed data collected on each lobsterBottom TemperatureTrawl MetricsNOTES ON QUALITY CONTROL:Data is visually verified and double keypunched. On loading to Oracle, data is run through rigorous automated checks to verify data accuracy and integrity.SAMPLING METHODS:The target tow length is 1 kilometer which is tracked using an Olex marine charting system. Vessel crew, DFO science staff and a contracted at sea observer work together to perform required tasks and collect all relevant data. Catch from each tow is separated by species, weighed and counted. Length frequency data is collected on select groundfish and crab species, detailed morphometric data is collected on each lobster. Bottom temperature and trawl metrics are collected for each tow.CITATION LIST:Denton, Cheryl M.. 2020. Maritimes Region Inshore Lobster Trawl Survey Technical Description. Canadian technical reports of fisheries and aquatic sciences (DFO) 3376.

PURPOSE:Since 2003, a standardized otter trawl survey was conducted in August by commercial fishing vessels throughout the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Division 4T). The primary objective of this survey is to obtain abundance indices for the major commercial groundfish resources in the area.DESCRIPTION:Tow, catch, and length frequency for fish caught during the August sentinel surveys in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Division 4T). Abundance indices and spatial distribution patterns of commercial groundfish.Note: Due to delays caused by logistic complexities and Covid, the project did not take place in 2020 PARAMETERS COLLECTED:Abundance estimates (ecological); distribution (ecological); species counts (ecological); gear (fishing); vessel information (fishing); point (spatial).NOTES ON QUALITY CONTROL:Scientific names listed in the survey species list have been mapped to recognized standards - marine taxa have been mapped to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) using their online taxon match tool. All sampling locations were plotted on a map to perform a visual check confirming that the latitude and longitude coordinates were within the described sampling area.SAMPLING METHODS:For additional information on the sampling methods and supporting literature, please refer to the references providedUSE LIMITATION:To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.

PURPOSE:The research survey provides a fisheries-independent source of information about all marine living organisms that are captured by the fishing trawl used to obtain samples in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.DESCRIPTION:Tow, catch, length frequency, and biological information for fish caught during the annual September research vessel trawl surveys in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (NAFO Division 4T). Abundance indices and spatial distribution patterns of commercial and non-commercial groundfish.The catch data that appear in this dataset SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR ECOLOGICAL ANALYSES INVOLVING CATCH RATES. Important factors such as vessel, fishing gear and diurnal periods must be accounted for to use these data in analyses. Please contact the data custodians if you are interested in using this data for any kind of ecological analyses involving catch rates. PARAMETERS COLLECTED:Abundance estimates (ecological); distribution (ecological); species counts (ecological); gear (fishing); vessel information (fishing); point (spatial)NOTES ON QUALITY CONTROL:Scientific names listed in the survey species list have been mapped to recognized standards - marine taxa have been mapped to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) using their online taxon match tool. All sampling locations were plotted on a map to perform a visual check confirming that the latitude and longitude coordinates were within the described sampling area.In 2003, because of a fire aboard the Alfred Needler, the Wilfred Templeman was used for the survey. However, no comparative fishing experiments have been conducted between the Alfred Needler and the Wilfred Templeman. We are therefore unable to integrate the indices derived for 2003 to the remainder of the survey time-series.SAMPLING METHODS:Sampling Method: Consult the "Protocols for research vessel cruises within the Gulf Region (dermersal fish) (1970-1980)" report, link provided in the citations list.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.

During the period of 1990 to 1993, Robin J. LeBrasseur and N. Brent Hargreaves led a juvenile salmon migration research project off the west coast of Vancouver Island BC. This included the development of surface beam trawl gear that could be deployed from a large trawl vessel (CCGS W.E. Ricker) and operated in an offshore environment. This dataset contains the research survey catch data and individual fish examinations data.

Catch, effort, location (latitude and longitude), and associated biological data from the Eulachon Migration Study Bottom Trawl surveys - North on the coast of British Columbia.Introduction:The Eulachon Migration Study Bottom Trawl survey - North (Eul-N) 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 –South (Eul-S).The Eulachon Migration Study Bottom Trawl survey - North (Eul-N) was conducted monthly from July 2018 to March 2019 and was funded by the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) National Rotational Survey Fund.The objective of this survey was to learn about the distribution, ecology, and migration times of Eulachon into the Nass and Skeena rivers 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 of 80 – 300 metres. The sampling units were 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 5 minutes. The standard hours of fishing were 0800 to 1700 hours, depending on sunrise and sunset in winter months.The Eulachon Migration Study Bottom Trawl survey – North was conducted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). This survey fished mainly in Chatham Sound with sets in Hecate Strait and Portland Inlet including Pacific Fishery Management areas (PFMA’s) 3, 4, and 104.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.

Catch, effort, location (latitude and longitude), and associated biological data from the Hecate Strait Multispecies Assemblage Bottom Trawl Surveys in Hecate Strait, British Columbia.Introduction The Hecate Strait Multispecies Assemblage Bottom Trawl survey series consists of twelve surveys that were conducted from 1984 to 2003 by the Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The main objective of this survey series was to collect detailed catch and biological data on species assemblages in order to develop an ecological basis for mixed species stock assessment in Hecate Strait. These surveys also provided abundance indices for individual species and were a source of information on recruitment. The surveys were conducted using a combination of charter vessels and two Canadian Coast Guard Research Vessels, the R/V G.B. Reed and R/V W.E. Ricker. To determine haul locations, a grid of 19 km² (10 nautical miles²) blocks were used with an attempt made to establish one trawl site within each 18 metre depth interval within each block. The 1984 survey involved one chartered and one research vessel; all other surveys were single vessel surveys. The Hecate Strait Multispecies Assemblage Bottom Trawl survey series surveyed Pacific Fishery Management areas 4, 5, and 101 to 106. A total of 1,111 number of tows were made with a Yankee 36 trawl net. This survey series is the predecessor for the present day Hecate Strait Synoptic Bottom Trawl Survey and represents one of the longest running time series of fisheries independent groundfish surveys on the west coast.For further details about the Hecate Strait Multispecies assemblage bottom trawl survey series, a list of reports can be found in the supporting documents section.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.

The Coastal Biodiversity Trawl Survey for the Passamaquoddy Bay was conducted annually between July to October from 2009 to 2019. This survey was intended to monitor long-term change in local species presence, habitat utilization, and health. The sampling activities support coastal research in fisheries, aquaculture, marine protected areas, and ecosystem change. Data collected prior to 2013 are generally not recommended for comparative analysis due to changes in vessel, sampling effort, and protocols.For additional information please see:- Cooper, J.A. and Blanchard, M.J. 2016. Coastal Biodiversity Trawl of the Passamaquoddy BayArea: 2009 to 2014. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3176: xi+52 p.

Fishing event (e.g., day, time, location, catch effort), and associated biological data from the Standardized Inlet Survey component of the annual Sablefish Research and Assessment Survey on the British Columbia coast.IntroductionDFO and the Canadian Sablefish Association undertake a collaborative fishery-independent annual research survey under a joint agreement. The survey employs longline trap gear to obtain catch rate data, gather biological samples, capture oceanographic measurements, and collect tag release and recapture data.Data summaries are provided here for standardized sets conducted at fixed stations within mainland inlets. The design of the sablefish survey has developed over time by incorporating and discontinuing components, including individual experimental studies (not available on OpenData). This Standardized Inlet Survey component differs in methodology from the other two survey components: (1) Offshore stratified random survey (2003 – present; available on OpenData using link below), and(2) Standardized trap survey – offshore indexing and offshore tagging (1990 – 2010; not yet available on OpenData). For the Standardized Inlet Survey, sets are allocated to five specific polygons in each of the following four inlet areas: Portland Inlet, Gil Island, Finlayson Channel, and Dean/Burke Channel. All four inlets were surveyed consistently between 2003 and 2019. No inlets were surveyed in 2020, and a single inlet was surveyed each year since 2021. Survey procedures are standardized and documented in Canadian Technical Reports of Fisheries and Aquatic sciences.Data tables provided for the Standardized Inlet Survey include (i) Effort, (ii) Catch, and (iii) Biological Information.Inlet EffortThis table contains information about annual survey trips and fishing events (sets). 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 inlet name, date, time, location and depth that fishing took place, soak time, and number of traps deployed. All successful fishing events are included, where successful sets are those that met survey design specifications.Inlet CatchThis table contains the catch information from successful fishing events. Catch is identified to species or to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Catch is recorded as fish counts and / or weight. The unique trip identifier and set number are included so that catches can be related to the fishing event information (including capture location) for each set.Inlet Biological InformationThis table contains the biological data for sampled catches. Data may include any or all of length, weight, sex, maturity and age. Most of the sampled catch is Sablefish; however, some biological information has been collected for other species. Age structures are collected and are archived until required for analyses; therefore, all existing structures have not been aged. Tissue samples (usually a fin clip) may be collected for genetic (DNA) analysis for specific species. Tissue samples may be archived until required for analysis; for more information please see the data contacts. The unique trip identifier and set number are included so that samples can be related to the fishing event and catch information.