Routes that cruise ships travel off the coast of BC

This dataset represents abundance data of commercial size Sea Scallop (Placopecten magellanicus; ≥ 80 mm shell height) from 2011-2023 from the Bay of Fundy Inshore Scallop Survey. Data is binned into 5-mm shell height bins, is prorated to an 800 m tow length and 17.5 feet (5.334 m) drag width (i.e., representing an area swept of 4267 m2), and was collected using unlined dredge gear. Each row represents a tow and contains information such as tow date, cruise name, gear type, geographical coordinates (decimal degrees, WGS 84) and the Scallop Production Area in which the tow took place. Survey protocols are documented in Glass (2017). This dataset contains tow data from a comparative survey conducted in 2012 (Smith et al., 2013). Further, these data correspond to the publication of Hebert et al. (2025).ReferencesGlass, A. 2017. Maritimes Region Inshore Scallop Assessment Survey: Detailed Technical Description. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3231: v + 32 p.Hebert, N, Sameoto, J.A., Keith, D.M., Murphy, O.A., Brown, C.J., Flemming, J. 2025. Interannual variability in the length–weight relationship can disrupt the abundance–biomass correlation of sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus). ICES. J. Mar. Sci. Smith, S.J., Glass, A., Sameoto. J., Hubley, B., Reeves, A., and Nasmith, L. 2013. Comparative survey between Digby and Miracle drag gear for scallop surveys in the Bay of Fundy. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2012/161. iv + 20 p.Cite this data as: Sameoto, J.A. Data of: Bay of Fundy Sea Scallop Commercial Size Abundance Data. Published: December 2025. Population Ecology Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/ecc09d98-56ed-4a27-ad62-5c3714a1d9b4

This dataset represents meat weight and shell height data of commercial size Sea Scallop (Placopecten magellanicus; ≥ 80 mm shell height) from 2011-2023 from the Bay of Fundy Inshore Scallop Survey collected from June to mid-August. Wet meat weights were recorded to a tenth of a gram and shell heights are measured in millimeters. Meat weights and shell heights are sampled from a subset of scallops caught on survey and this detailed sampling is conducted from approximately half of the tows conducted. Each row in the dataset represents an individual scallop and contains information such as tow number, tow date, cruise name, geographical coordinates (decimal degrees, WGS 84) and the Scallop Production Area in which the tow took place. Survey protocols are documented in Glass (2017). This dataset contains tow data from a comparative survey conducted in 2012 (Smith et al., 2013). Further, these data correspond to the publication of Hebert et al. (2025).ReferencesGlass, A. 2017. Maritimes Region Inshore Scallop Assessment Survey: Detailed Technical Description. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3231: v + 32 p.Hebert, N, Sameoto, J.A., Keith, D.M., Murphy, O.A., Brown, C.J., Flemming, J. 2025. Interannual variability in the length–weight relationship can disrupt the abundance–biomass correlation of sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus). ICES. J. Mar. Sci. Smith, S.J., Glass, A., Sameoto. J., Hubley, B., Reeves, A., and Nasmith, L. 2013. Comparative survey between Digby and Miracle drag gear for scallop surveys in the Bay of Fundy. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2012/161. iv + 20 p.Cite this data as: Sameoto, J.A. Data of: Bay of Fundy Sea Scallop Meat Weight and Shell Height Data 2011 to 2023. Published: December 2025. Population Ecology Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/65d32794-2d81-4682-b0ea-8d8bbe907a58

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) conducts an annual summer multidisciplinary scientific survey with a bottom trawl in the Estuary and the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence since 1984. Over the years this survey has been conducted on four vessels: the MV Lady Hammond (1984-1990), the CCGS Alfred Needler (1990-2005), the CCGS Teleost (2004-2022) and the CCGS Cabot (2022-present). It is important to note that the objectives, the methods used and the identification of the species during these surveys have improved over time in response to DFO requests and mandates. The data are therefore not directly comparable between these surveys. However, comparative analyses have been carried out between vessels, and conversion factors are available on request for a number of species. The specificities of the missions onboard the CCGS Teleost are described below.Objectives:1. Assess groundfish and northern shrimp population abundance and condition2. Assess environmental conditions3. Conduct a biodiversity inventory of benthic and demersal megafauna 4. Assess phytoplankton and mesozooplankton abundance5. Monitor the pelagic ecosystem6. Inventory marine mammals populations7. Inventory seabirds populations8. Collect samples for various research projectsSurvey descriptionThe survey covers the Estuary and the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence, that is the divisions 4R, 4S and the northern part of division 4T of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). Since 2008, coverage of division 4T has been increased in the upstream part of the Lower Estuary in order to sample the depths between 37 and 183 m. A stratified random sampling strategy is used for this survey and the area of the study area is 118,587 km². The fishing gear used on the CCGS Teleost is a four-sided Campelen 1800 shrimp trawl equipped with a Rockhopper footgear (“bicycle”). The trawl lengthening and codend are equipped with a 12.7-mm knotless nylon lining. Standard trawling tows last 15 minutes, starting from the time the trawl touches the sea floor. The target towing speed is 3 knots.DataFor each fishing tow, the catch is sorted and weighed by taxa; individuals are then counted and biological data are collected on a subsample. For fish, crab and squid, size and weight are measured by individual and, for some species, sex, gonad maturity, and the weight of certain organs (stomach, liver, gonads) are also evaluated. The soft rays of the anal fin are counted for redfish, and the otoliths are sampled for several species such as Atlantic cod, Atlantic halibut, Greenland halibut, and witch flounder. A roughly 2-kg shrimp sample is sorted and weighed by species (and by stage of maturity for northern shrimp). The shrimps are measured individually. The other invertebrates are counted (no individual measurements) and photographed.The biological data are divided into 4 files: a “Metadata” file containing set information, a “Catches” file containing catches per set for fish taxa, a “Biological characteristics” file containing morphometric measurements per individual and a “Shrimps” file containing information on shrimp catches. This data is also available via the 'Biodiversity' application on the St. Lawrence Global Observatory (SLGO).It's important to note that this is raw data. Only set considered successful are retained. In each set, all species are kept, with a few exceptions. For more information please contact the data management team (gddaiss-dmsaisb@dfo-mpo.gc.ca).

Map of Canada showing locations of facilities selling nautical charts in both paper and digital formats.

DFO Maritimes Region has conducted a cumulative human impact mapping analysis for the Scotian Shelf-Bay of Fundy management area to support ongoing Marine Spatial Planning initiatives (Murphy et al. 2024). Cumulative human impact mapping (CIM) combines spatial information on human activities and habitats with a matrix of vulnerability weights, into an intuitive relative ‘cumulative impact score’ that shows where cumulative human impacts are greatest and least. To map cumulative impacts in DFO’s Maritimes Region, a recently developed ecosystem vulnerability assessment for Atlantic Canadian waters (Murray et al. 2022) was combined with spatial information on 21 different habitat types and 45 human activities across five different sectors (climate change, land-based, marine-based, coastal, commercial fishing) following the methodology from Halpern et al. (2008). An uncertainty analysis of the cumulative impact map was conducted to assess the robustness of results and identify hot and cold spots of cumulative impacts. This dataset provides: 1) cumulative impact maps for the DFO Maritimes Region at 1 km2 resolution: a total cumulative impact map (i.e. including all 45 human activities), as well as cumulative impact maps for each of the five sectors, 2) a layer that identifies which grid cells are considered hot and cold spots of cumulative human impacts, and 3) the habitat layers included in the CIM.For further information concerning specifics of the maps and methods see Murphy et al. (2024) or contact the data provider. References:Halpern, B.S., Walbridge, S., Selkoe, K.A., Kappel, C.V., Micheli, F., D'Agrosa, C., Bruno, J.F., Casey, K.S., Ebert, C., Fox, H.E., Fujita, R., Heinemann, D., Lenihan, H.S., Madin, E.M.P., Perry, M.T., Selig, E.R., Spalding, M., Steneck, R., and Watson, R. 2008. A Global Map of Human Impact on Marine Ecosystems. Science. 319(5865): 948-952. doi:10.1126/science.1149345.Murray, C.C., Kelly, N.E., Nelson, J.C., Murphy, G.E.P., and Agbayani, S. 2022. Cumulative impact mapping and vulnerability of Canadian marine ecosystems to anthropogenic activities and stressors. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2022/XXX. vi. + 52 p.Murphy, G.E.P., Stock, A., and Kelly, N.E. 2024 (in press). From land to deep sea: A continuum of cumulative human impacts on marine habitats in Atlantic Canada. Ecosphere.Cite this data as: Murphy, Grace; Kelly, Noreen (2023) Cumulative human impact maps for the Bay of Fundy and Scotian Shelf. Published September 2023. Coastal Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/37b59b8b-1c1c-4869-802f-c09571cc984b

Launched in 2017, the Cumulative Effects of Marine Shipping (CEMS) initiative is part of Canada’s $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, which is providing economic opportunities to Canadians today, while protecting our coasts and waterways for future generations. The Cumulative Effects of Marine Shipping initiative is another way that the Government of Canada is protecting our coasts and waterways.https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-pollution-environmental-response/cumulative-effects-marine-shippingAs part of this initiative, Transport Canada is working with Indigenous partners and stakeholders in six pilot areas across Canada. Together, we are trying to understand the effects of marine shipping in various coastal areas. These pilot areas include:- North Coast British Columbia- South Coast British Columbia- St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers, Quebec- Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia- Placentia Bay, Newfoundland- Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) conducts an annual summer multidisciplinary scientific survey with a bottom trawl in the Estuary and the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence since 1984. Over the years this survey has been conducted on four vessels: the MV Lady Hammond (1984-1990), the CCGS Alfred Needler (1990-2005), the CCGS Teleost (2004-2021) and the CCGS Cabot (2022-current). It is important to note that the objectives, the methods used and the identification of the species during these surveys have improved over time in response to DFO requests and mandates. The data are therefore not directly comparable between these surveys. The specificities of the missions onboard the CCGS Alfred Needler are described below.Objectives:1. Assess groundfish and northern shrimp population abundance and condition2. Assess environmental conditions3. Conduct a biodiversity inventory of benthic and demersal megafauna4. Monitor the pelagic ecosystem5. Collect samples for various research projectsSurvey descriptionThe survey covers the divisions 4R, 4S, 3Pn and the northern part of division 4T of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). This survey follows a stratified random sampling design and the fishing gear used on the CCGS Alfred Needler is a URI shrimp trawl (81'/114'). Standard trawling tows last 25 minutes, starting from the time the trawl touched the sea floor. Towing speed is 3 knots.DataFor each fishing tow, the catch is sorted and weighed by taxa; individuals are then counted and biological data are collected on a subsample. For fish, crab and squid, size and weight are measured by individual and, for some species, sex, gonad maturity, and the weight of certain organs (stomach, liver, gonads) are also evaluated. The soft rays of the anal fin are counted for redfish, and the otoliths are collected for several species such as witch flounder, Atlantic cod, Greenland halibut and Atlantic halibut. A roughly 2-kg shrimp sample is sorted and weighed by species (and by stage of maturity for northern shrimp). The shrimps are measured individually. The other invertebrates are counted (no individual measurements) and photographed.The biological data are divided into 5 files: a “Metadata” file containing set information, a “Catches” file containing catches per set for fish taxa, a “Carbio” file containing biological and morphometric measurements per individual, a “Freql” file containing the length frequency of fish and a “Shrimps” file containing information on shrimp catches.It's important to note that this is raw data. Only sets considered successful are retained. In each set, all species are kept, with a few exceptions. For more information please contact the data management team (gddaiss-dmsaisb@dfo-mpo.gc.ca).

Fish Habitat Assessment Output: 5 of 16High Water Level (75.4m ASL) - Juvenile/Adult Habitat - High Vegetation Association Species (All Thermal Guilds)Habitat suitability was assessed for the Bay of Quinte Area of Concern, at a 3 m grid resolution, using the Habitat Ecosystem Assessment Tool (HEAT), temperature algorithms, vegetation models, and water level input. Habitat classifications were based on three variables: depth (elevation), vegetation, and substrate; and modified by temperature suitabilities. The final suitability maps were based on documented habitat and temperature associations for the fish in the area. Different life stages (spawning requirements, nursery habitat, adult habitat) were modeled for the years of 1972-2011. Suitability values were scaled from 0 (not suitable) to 1 (highly suitable) and converted to suitability classes of very low, low, medium, and high. The final maps for each guild – life stage combination are maximum suitability values from the 39-year period modelled.

This dataset was compiled as part of a multiyear effort lead by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to support sustainable aquaculture regulation in the Coast of Bays, an area of the south coast of Newfoundland. It is the second of a series aiming to provide an oceanographic knowledge baseline of the Coast of Bays.This dataset includes temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen concentration profiles collected during CTD surveys, each survey containing a varying number of casts/profiles taken within the area of interest. In total, 760 profiles from 11 surveys, executed over 276 stations, were collected from June 2009 to November 2013. Data were processed and quality controlled using the instrumentation manufacturer guidelines, custom tools as well as visual inspection. Data are provided in tab-delimited text-based format compatible with most data processing language and tools (e.g. MS. Excel) as well as with the Ocean Data View software (https://odv.awi.de/) for rapid visualisation. A summary of the CTD profiles and stations surveyed is also provided as a comma separated values (CSV) file.A full description of the data and of its use in the context of the motivating project can be found in http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/ResDocs-DocRech/2017/2017_077-eng.html. Analyses from this dataset were presented during a Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) meeting which took place in St John’s in March 2015 (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/schedule-horraire/2015/03_25-26b-eng.html) and from which a Science Advisory Report (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/SAR-AS/2016/2016_039-eng.html) and Proceedings (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/Pro-Cr/2017/2017_043-eng.html) were published.