This layer represents the relative summer density of belugas in the St. Lawrence Estuary based on 35 aerial surveys carried out from 1990 to 2009. The boundaries of the areas were determined by combining the highest densities until the desired proportion of the population was obtained using kernel density estimation in order to obtain a smooth and continuous density distribution.Within Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the ecosystem approach is considered a tool for operational planning, project implementation and preparation of advisory reports. In response to this strategic direction, the DFO science division is committed to implement the ecosystem approach in its activities as Ecosystem Research Initiatives (ERI) in each of the six administrative regions of DFO. In the Quebec region, two pilot projects were implemented, of which one aimed to define and characterize the habitat of the St. Lawrence beluga (Delphinapterus leucas).Data sources and references:DFO. 2016. Ecosystem Research Initiative (ERI): Integrated Advice on the Summer Habitat of the St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/030. Mosnier, A., R. Larocque, M. Lebeuf, J.-F. Gosselin, S. Dubé, V. Lapointe, V. Lesage, V., H. Bourdages, D. Lefaivre, S. Senneville and C. Chion. 2016. Définition et caractérisation de l'habitat du béluga (Delphinapterus leucas) de l'estuaire du Saint-Laurent selon une approche écosystémique. Secr. can. de consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. de rech. 2016/052. vi + 93 p.

This layer represents the relative summer density of beluga calves in the St. Lawrence Estuary based on 35 aerial surveys carried out from 1990 to 2009. The boundaries of the areas were determined by combining the highest densities until the desired proportion of the population was obtained using kernel density estimation in order to obtain a smooth and continuous density distribution.Within Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the ecosystem approach is considered as a tool for operational planning, project implementation and preparation of advisory reports. In response to this strategic direction, the DFO science division is committed to implement the ecosystem approach in its activities as Ecosystem Research Initiatives (ERI) in each of the six administrative regions of DFO. In the Quebec region, two pilot projects were implemented, of which one aimed to define and characterize the habitat of the St. Lawrence beluga (Delphinapterus leucas).Data sources and references:DFO. 2016. Ecosystem Research Initiative (ERI): Integrated Advice on the Summer Habitat of the St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/030. Mosnier, A., R. Larocque, M. Lebeuf, J.-F. Gosselin, S. Dubé, V. Lapointe, V. Lesage, V., H. Bourdages, D. Lefaivre, S. Senneville and C. Chion. 2016. Définition et caractérisation de l'habitat du béluga (Delphinapterus leucas) de l'estuaire du Saint-Laurent selon une approche écosystémique. Secr. can. de consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. de rech. 2016/052. vi + 93 p.

This layer represents the seasonal distribution of St. Lawrence Estuary beluga whale population (Delphinapterus leucas). Summer distribution is based on many surveys conducted between the end of August and early September. Fall and winter distributions are based on aerial surveys conducted during mid-October, November and from December to March 1989-1990. Spring distribution is based on anecdotal reports and two aerial surveys conducted in late April and early June 1990.Beluga whale seasonal distribution can change according to sea ice cover, predation risk and food availability. This layer represents the general seasonal distribution and does not account for the sexual segregation among males and females in the St. Lawrence Estuary.This layer do not represent the beluga's critical habitat. See the data layer “Beluga whale critical habitat in the Saguenay River and the St. Lawrence Estuary” (https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/fdfef550-b94c-466c-9dcb-24c297c00e3e). Data source : Mosnier, A., Lesage, V., Gosselin, J.-F., Lemieux Lefebvre, S., Hammill, M. O., Doniol-Valcroze, T. 2010. Information relevant to the documentation of habitat use by St. Lawrence beluga (Delphinapterus leucas), and quantification of habitat quality. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec., Res. Doc. 2009/098. iv + 35 p.

The Beluga whale critical habitat, which includes the Upper Estuary, the Saguenay River up to Sainte-Marguerite Bay, and the southern channel of the Lower Estuary, supports the vital functions of calving and rearing of the young.Due to the lack of information, studies are planned in the near future to increase knowledge of the species. Critical habitat actual limitations could change someday.PurposeThe beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) population in the St. Lawrence Estuary was greatly reduced by hunting, which was finally banned in the St. Lawrence in 1979. In May 2005, this beluga population was officially listed as a threatened species on SARA’s List of Wildlife Species at Risk.Additional InformationSt. Lawrence beluga critical habitat is identified using the best available information. All the available information on its prey, seasonal distribution, use and characteristics of its habitat has been reviewed by Mosnier (2010). This literature review was used to produce a science advisory report reviewed by marine mammal experts. Beluga whale critical habitat has been identified with the information and the scientific advice, using the area of occupancy approach and corresponds to the summer distribution of groups made up of adults and new-born calves and juveniles.Mosnier, A., Lesage, V., Gosselin, J.-F., Lemieux Lefebvre, S., Hammill, M. O., Doniol-Valcroze, T. 2010. Information relevant to the documentation of habitat use by St. Lawrence beluga (Delphinapterus leucas), and quantification of habitat quality. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec., Res. Doc. 2009/098. iv + 35 p.DFO. 2012. Recovery Strategy for the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) St. Lawrence Estuary population in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa. 88 pp + X pp.

This layer represents the seasonal distribution of the St. Lawrence Estuary beluga whale population (Delphinapterus leucas). Three groups are represented: females with calf, adult males and mixed sectors. Herd distribution was defined using Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) published data about beluga whales (see references).Herd distribution areas are only valid during the summer, and the uses of these areas by the herds are unknown.Data source :Michaud, R. 1993. Distribution estivale du béluga du St-Laurent; synthèse 1986-1992. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1906: vi + 28 p.

PURPOSE:An aerial survey of the Western Hudson Bay beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) population was conducted on August 12th, 2015 to provide a population estimate. Surveys were flown in a DeHavilland Twin Otter (DH-6) fitted with four bubble windows and an optical glass-covered camera hatch at the rear underbelly of the plane. A Global Positioning System (GPS) unit logged the position, altitude, speed, and heading of the aircraft each second. Surveys were initially flown at a target ground speed of 100 knots (185 km/h), and target altitudes of 1,000 ft (305 m) for visual surveys and 2,000 ft (610 m) for photographic surveys. After the second day of flying, the target ground speed was adjusted to 110 knots (204 km/h).Complete coverage of the two photographic strata was achieved using a Nikon D810 camera fitted with a 25 mm lens. The camera was mounted at the rear of the aircraft and directed straight down with the longest side perpendicular to the track line. The camera was connected to a GPS unit to geo-reference photographs, and to a laptop computer to control exposure settings and photo interval. At an altitude of 2,000 ft (610 m), the 25 mm lens captured a ground area of approximately 875 m x 585 m. The photograph interval was set to maintain an overlap of 20 to 40 % between consecutive photos, and with a transect spacing of 600 m, the lateral overlap between photos from adjacent transects was approximately 30 %. DESCRIPTION:Aerial surveys of summering Western Hudson Bay (WHB) beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) were conducted on August 12th, 2015 to update the previous population abundance. The survey area comprised five strata (three visual and two photographic) encompassing high use areas around three river estuaries where recurring aggregations of WHB beluga are found during the summer months. This metadata covers the photographic data related to the survey. The photographic surveys completely covered high density aggregations in the Churchill River and near the mouth of the Seal River.

PURPOSE:An aerial survey of the Western Hudson Bay beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) population was conducted on August 19th, 2015 to provide a population estimate. Surveys were flown in a DeHavilland Twin Otter (DH-6) fitted with four bubble windows and an optical glass-covered camera hatch at the rear underbelly of the plane. A Global Positioning System (GPS) unit logged the position, altitude, speed, and heading of the aircraft each second. Surveys were initially flown at a target ground speed of 100 knots (185 km/h), and target altitudes of 1,000 ft (305 m) for visual surveys and 2,000 ft (610 m) for photographic surveys. After the second day of flying, the target ground speed was adjusted to 110 knots (204 km/h).Complete coverage of the two photographic strata was achieved using a Nikon D810 camera fitted with a 25 mm lens. The camera was mounted at the rear of the aircraft and directed straight down with the longest side perpendicular to the track line. The camera was connected to a GPS unit to geo-reference photographs, and to a laptop computer to control exposure settings and photo interval. At an altitude of 2,000 ft (610 m), the 25 mm lens captured a ground area of approximately 875 m x 585 m. The photograph interval was set to maintain an overlap of 20 to 40 % between consecutive photos, and with a transect spacing of 600 m, the lateral overlap between photos from adjacent transects was approximately 30 %. DESCRIPTION:Aerial surveys of summering Western Hudson Bay (WHB) beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) were conducted on August 19th, 2015 to update the previous population abundance. The survey area comprised five strata (three visual and two photographic) encompassing high use areas around three river estuaries where recurring aggregations of WHB beluga are found during the summer months. This metadata covers the photographic data related to the survey. The photographic surveys completely covered high density aggregations in the Churchill River and near the mouth of the Seal River.

Layers that present various important parameters such as inventories, presence, sightings, distribution, relative occurrence or catch rates, critical habitat, breeding and feeding areas, potential spawning and haul-out sites for the different species with status under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).The act classifies those species as being either extirpated, endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Under SARA, Fisheries and Oceans Canada must produce recovery strategies and action plans for aquatic species listed as endangered or threatened. The act is part of Canada’s strategy to protect hundreds of wild plants and animal species from becoming extinct, and to help in their recovery.The different species represented by the layers are the following:1. American shad (Alosa sapidissima)2. Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus)3. Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus)4. Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas)5. Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus)6. Copper redhorse (Moxostoma hubbsi)7. Eelgrass (Zostera marina)8. Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)9. Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina)10. Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)11. Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)12. Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus)13. Northern wolffish (Anarhichas denticulatus)14. Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax)15. Sea pens (Pennatulacea)16. Seaweed17. Smooth skate (Malacoraja senta)18. Sponges19. Spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor)20. Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)21. Thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata)22. Winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata)

Historical finds of Coleophora laricella

Historical finds of Profenusa thomsoni