This report describes an analysis of Maritimes Region inshore lobster logbook data reported at a grid level, including Bay of Fundy Disputed Zone data reported at the coordinate level. Annual and composite (2015–2019) grid maps were produced for landings, number of trap hauls, and the same series standardized by grid area, as well as maps of catch weight per number of trap hauls as an index of catch per unit effort (CPUE). Spatial differences in fishing pressure, landings, and CPUE are indicated, and potential mapping applications are outlined. Mapping the distribution and intensity of inshore lobster fishing activity has management applications for spatial planning and related decision support. The lack of region-wide latitude and longitude coordinates for inshore lobster effort and landings limits the utility of commercial logbook data for marine spatial planning purposes.

Fisheries landings and effort mapping of the inshore lobster fishery on the DFO Maritimes Region statistical grid (2012-2014). This report describes an analysis of Maritimes Region inshore lobster logbook data reported at a grid level, including Bay of Fundy Grey Zone data reported at the coordinate level. Annual and composite (2012–2014) grid maps were produced for landings, number of license-days fished, number of trap hauls, and the same series standardized by grid area, as well as maps of catch weight per number of trap hauls as an index of catch per unit effort (CPUE). Spatial differences in fishing pressure, landings, and CPUE are indicated, and potential mapping applications are outlined. Mapping the distribution and intensity of inshore lobster fishing activity has management applications for spatial planning and related decision support. The lack of region-wide latitude and longitude coordinates for lobster effort and landings limits the utility of commercial logbook data for marine spatial planning purposes.

Fish stocking data for recreational fishing purposes. Contains: * stocking data for the past 10 years for species where the purpose of the stocking event was to promote recreational fishing. This is a subset of data from the fish stocking information system. This data can also be obtained through the [Fish ON-Line application](http://www.ontario.ca/fishonline). For information on where stocking occurs for research or rehabilitation purposes, contact a local Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry district office. Related datasets: * [Ontario waterbody location identifer](https://data.ontario.ca/dataset/ontario-waterbody-location-identifier)

Fishing event data (e.g. year, date, time, location, catch and effort) and associated biological data from the Offshore Stratified Random Survey component of the annual Sablefish Research and Assessment Survey on the British Columbia coast.IntroductionDFO and the Canadian Sablefish Association (CSA) collaborate to undertake an annual fishery-independent 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 provided here are for the offshore stratified random sampling design (StRS) component of the survey, which has been conducted annually since 2003. The design of the sablefish survey has developed over time by incorporating and discontinuing components, including individual experimental studies (not available on OpenData). This StRS Survey component differs in methodology from the other two survey components: (1) Standardized trap survey – mainland inlets (1994-present; available on OpenData using link below), and (2) Standardized trap survey – offshore indexing and offshore tagging (1990 – 2010; not yet available on OpenData). The Sablefish offshore stratified random trap survey (StRS) follows a depth and area stratified random sampling design. The survey area is partitioned into five spatial strata (S1 to S5) and three depth strata (RD1 to RD3) for a total of 15 strata. The five spatial strata are S1 (South West Coast Vancouver Island or SWCVI), S2 (North West Coast Vancouver Island or NWCVI), S3 (Queen Charlotte Sound or QCS), S4 (South West Coast of Haida Gwaii or SWCHG), and S5 (North West Coast of Haida Gwaii or NWCHG). The three depth strata are 100-250 fathoms (RD1), 250-450 fathoms (RD2), and 450-750 fathoms (RD3). The area within each of the 15 strata are sectioned into 2 km x 2 km grid cells or ‘fishing blocks’ from which set locations are randomly chosen each year. Survey procedures are standardized and documented in Canadian Technical Reports of Fisheries and Aquatic sciences.Data tables provided for the offshore stratified random survey include (i) effort, (ii) catch, (iii) biological information, (iv) the sampling frame from which blocks are selected for sampling each year, and (v) the calculated coastwide Sablefish biomass index. StRS EffortThis table contains information about the 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 date, time, location and depth that fishing took place, the survey spatial and depth strata for the set, reason for the set, soak time, number of traps deployed and number of traps fished. All successful fishing events are included, i.e., those sets that conformed to specified survey standards.StRS CatchThis table contains the catch information from successful fishing events. Catches are identified to species or to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Catches are 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).StRS 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 on Rockfish, Flatfish and other Roundfish species in some years. Age structures are collected and are archived until required for analyses; therefore, all existing structures have not been aged at this time. Tissue samples (usually a fin clip) may be collected for genetic (DNA) analysis for specific species. Genetic samples may be archived until required for analyses; 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.Sample FrameThis table contains a list of all of the 2km x 2km grid cells or ‘fishing blocks’ that are part of the stratified random sampling frame. A subset of blocks are randomly selected for sampling each year from this list. For each grid cell, the corresponding depth and spatial strata ID is included. This sample frame can be used to calculate design-based abundance indices for the survey.StRS Biomass IndexThis table contains a coastwide relative biomass index for Sablefish based on the annual StRS survey. Stratified random sampling mean index values and 95% confidence intervals are calculated by year using the classical survey stratified random sampling estimator (Cochran 1977) and the number of possible sampling units per stratum provided by Wyeth et al. (2007). The relative biomass index has been input to the operating model and management procedure used to provide management advice for BC Sablefish since 2011 (Cox et al. 2011).

Bait resources in most of the province are assigned to harvesters through the use of a block system -- 1 harvester per 'bait harvest' area. There are exceptions to the block system (e.g., Lake Erie), where bait is allocated to multiple users fishing the same area.

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.

These datasets show the general spatial distribution of commercial fishing harvest and landed values by fishery on a 1km x 1km planning grid. They aggregate key statistics around fleet specific fishing activity and catch in British Columbia (BC) within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). These gridded data describe the annual average landed weight (Rounded KGs), and landed catch values (CAD $2016) of the subject fishery over the period. The data represented were created from logbook records and matched to prices from fish slips submitted to DFO by participants of BC’s commercial fishing fleets. The dataset is comprised of an aggregate of all species over 10, 9, or 5 years of fishing seasons, depending on the fishery. To preserve potentially proprietary information, a privacy filtering Rule of Five has been applied to each planning unit (each 1km x 1km planning unit). If any planning units do not meet this minimum of 5 unique vessels/unique identifiers during the time span then they are flagged as being filtered and an average of all filtered planning units is applied.The accompanying GeoDB contains two data layers, “all_fisheries_filtered_gridded “, which includes all of the commercial fisheries data in 1km x 1km grids, and “DFO_marine_bioregions_NSB_subregions”, which includes polygon feature boundaries for the federal marine bioregions and Northern Shelf bioregion sub-regions.This dataset contains data for the following fisheries:- Bottom trawl (2012-2016)- Midwater trawl (2012-2016)- Shrimp by trawl (2007-2016)- Prawn trap (2007-2016)- Rockfish (2012-2016)- Sablefish (2007-2016)- Halibut (2007-2016)- Combo trips - halibut/sablefish (2007-2016)- Lingcod (2007-2016)- Green sea urchin (2006-2015)- Red sea urchin (2007-2015)- Sea cucumber (2008-2016)- Geoduck (2007-2015)

A benthic imagery survey was conducted along the Eastern Scotian Slope in June 2018 to collect data in support of a Strategic Program for Ecosystem-Based Research and Advice project to evaluate the effectiveness of the Lophelia Coral Conservation Area and identify new areas of importance for benthic species that may qualify for protection under Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s 2009 Policy for Managing the Impact of Fishing on Sensitive Benthic Areas. Linear video and photographic transects from ~200 to 1000 m depth were collected at 10 stations between the Gully Marine Protected Area and the Lophelia Coral Conservation Area using the video and photographic camera system Campod and the ‘4K Camera’ drop camera system. Here we present a quantitative assessment of the corals and sponges observed at each of these 10 stations. Patterns in distribution by transect and depth are presented, as well as the relationship between coral distribution and groundfish fishing effort. We highlight the importance of the slope outside the canyons for the distribution of corals and sponges, where nearly 25 taxa were recorded between 167 – 970 m depth. Diversity and abundance appeared to show a west-to-east gradient across the study area, being highest on those stations adjacent to the Lophelia Coral Conservation Area. Groundfish fishing activity overlapped the distribution of corals and sponges in some parts of the study area, particularly between 200 and 500 m where the large branching corals Paragorgia arborea and Primnoa resedaeformis were observed, and also suggested that fishing may have taken place within the boundaries of the Lophelia Coral Conservation Area since its implementation in 2004. An extension of the boundaries of this closure may ensure its continued effectiveness and provide protection for the diverse and abundant coral and sponge communities that reside beyond its boundaries.Cite this data as: Beazley, Lindsay; Lirette, Camille; Guijarro, Javier (2019). Characterization of the Corals and Sponges of the Eastern Scotian Slope from a Benthic Imagery Survey. Published July 2023. Ocean Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/b6567b77-4fda-4fcf-b059-fcfeb4dcc2fb

These data consist of the Recreational Shark Fishing Tournament landings database (1993-2022 inclusive) and the Canadian Dart tag database (2006 onwards; updated annually). Both were collected by the Maritimes Science Division of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The landings records include biological sampling from 4266 animals and the dart tag records include 4138 tagging and 97 recapture events to date. Potential users should consult Bowlby et al. (2022) for the description, management history, and technical details pertaining to these data. Information is focused on Blue Sharks because they were the primary species captured at recreational tournaments.Cite this data as: Bowlby, H., Joyce, W. Recreational Shark Fishing Tournament Landings Data and Canadian Dart Tag Database. Published January 2023 . Population Ecology Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/4309f1f7-6779-416d-9660-c02f0f99b482

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.