Identification of significant concentrations of sea pens in the Gulf of St. Lawrence biogeographic unit using Kernel density estimation (KDE).This method was applied to create a modelled biomass surface for each taxa and an aerial expansion method was permitted to identify significant concentrations. Only geo-referenced biomass data have been used to identify the “hot spots”. The borders of the areas were refined using knowledge of null catches and species distribution models. Predictive models were produced using a random forest machine-learning technique. For more details, please refer to this report: Kenchington, E., L. Beazley, C. Lirette, F.J. Murillo, J. Guijarro, V. Wareham, K. Gilkinson, M. Koen Alonso, H. Benoît, H. Bourdages, B. Sainte-Marie, M. Treble, and T. Siferd. 2016. Delineation of Coral and Sponge Significant Benthic Areas in Eastern Canada Using Kernel Density Analyses and Species Distribution Models. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/093. vi + 178 p.http://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/40577806.pdfThe present layer only contains the analysis results for sea pens. Purpose:As part of the Canada's commitment to the identification and protection of sensitive benthic marine ecosystems, maps of the location of significant concentrations of corals and sponges on the east coast of Canada were produced through quantitative analyses of research vessel trawl survey data, supplemented with other data sources where available. The taxa analyzed are sponges (Porifera), large and small gorgonian corals (Alcyonacea), and sea pens (Pennatulacea). However, only the sponges (Porifera) and sea pens (Pennatulacea) have been considered in the analysis concerning the Gulf of St. Lawrence biogeographic unit.

Identification of significant concentrations of sponges in the Gulf of St. Lawrence biogeographic unit using Kernel density estimation (KDE).This method was applied to create a modelled biomass surface for each taxa and an aerial expansion method was permitted to identify significant concentrations. Only geo-referenced biomass data have been used to identify the “hot spots”. The borders of the areas were refined using knowledge of null catches and species distribution models. Predictive models were produced using a random forest machine-learning technique. For more details, please refer to this report: Kenchington, E., L. Beazley, C. Lirette, F.J. Murillo, J. Guijarro, V. Wareham, K. Gilkinson, M. Koen Alonso, H. Benoît, H. Bourdages, B. Sainte-Marie, M. Treble, and T. Siferd. 2016. Delineation of Coral and Sponge Significant Benthic Areas in Eastern Canada Using Kernel Density Analyses and Species Distribution Models. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/093. vi + 178 p.http://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/40577806.pdfThe present layer only contains the analysis results for sponges. Purpose:As part of the Canada's commitment to the identification and protection of sensitive benthic marine ecosystems, maps of the location of significant concentrations of corals and sponges on the east coast of Canada were produced through quantitative analyses of research vessel trawl survey data, supplemented with other data sources where available. The taxa analyzed are sponges (Porifera), large and small gorgonian corals (Alcyonacea), and sea pens (Pennatulacea). However, only the sponges (Porifera) and sea pens (Pennatulacea) have been considered in the analysis concerning the Gulf of St. Lawrence biogeographic unit.

Historical finds of Operophtera brumata

Historical finds of Fenusa pumila

Between 2001 and 2004 a descriptive and comparative investigation of the benthic macro-infauna in 17 pockmarks and 10 reference locations outside pockmarks in Passamaquoddy Bay-Bay of Fundy- was made. This dataset contains the locations of the grab samples for each pockmark in the study area, the taxon abundance identified in each sample and the georeferenced video transect from 2004 using a towcam- an underwater, bottom referencing vehicle on which floodlights, analogue video- and digital still-camera were mounted.For more information of the data: Wildish DJ, Akagi HM, McKeown DL, Pohle GW (2008) Pockmarks influence benthic communities in Passamaquoddy Bay, Bay of Fundy, Canada. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 357:51-66. https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v357/p51-66/

This polygon dataset identifies the habitat suitability rating for Flammulated Owl (FLOW) within the Cariboo Natural Resource Region. The habitat suitability rating is based on Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC), forest age class, crown closure, tree species, harvest activity, silviculture activity, slope and aspect.

BiologicEcologic ISO Feature Dataset symbolization and publication. September 5, 2017.

This collection of eelgrass data has been collated to produce a national map of the location and distribution of eelgrass beds across Canada. The data providers collaborating in this initiative include Federal, Provincial and Municipal government departments and agencies, academia, non-governmental organizations, community groups, private sector, Indigenous groups and independent science organizations. The National Eelgrass Task Force (NETForce) is a collaborative, diverse and inclusive partnership of scientists, managers, and stakeholders working towards a concrete vision which is to create a national map of eelgrass distribution in Canada that is publicly accessible, dynamic, and useful for monitoring and collective decision-making. The eelgrass data were collected using various mapping techniques including species distribution models, benthic sonar, field measurements of habitat presence or absence, video transects, aerial photography, field validation, literature review, satellite imageries, LiDAR, Airborne spectrographic imaging, and Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The metadata provided by the partners relevant for their own projects and the field names were made similar for the compiled dataset. We also created additional fields that differentiated the datasets, and these include data provider, institution code, water body, mapping techniques, province, biogeographic region, eelgrass observation... Other fields are included depending on the original metadata provided by the data provider (i.e. eelgrass percentage cover, eelgrass density, map reference, image classification technique). The data span from 1987 to present, with some eelgrass beds being surveyed only once while others were sampled across several years. Uncertainty information associated with a dataset is included in the metadata when available. This map is intended to be evergreen and more eelgrass data will be added when available. This compiled dataset has been collected by many organizations for different purposes, using different survey techniques and different methodologies and, therefore, considerable care must be taken when using these data. For further information concerning specific datasets contact the data provider/institution and/or see the associated technical report (if available) included in the Report folder under the ‘Data and Resources’ section.This group of eelgrass data has been divided using the geographic boundaries of the Federal Marine Bioregions (https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/23eb8b56-dac8-4efc-be7c-b8fa11ba62e9). The title of each geodatabase (FGDB/GDB) contains the name of the bioregion.The Data Dictionary guide provides the fields description (English and French) from each layer included in the geodatabases.For additional information please see:Gomez C., Guijarro-Sabaniel J., Wong M. 2021. National Eelgrass Task (NET) Force: engagement in support of a dynamic map of eelgrass distribution in Canada to support monitoring, research and decision making. Can. Tech. Rep. Aquat. Sci. 3437: vi + 48 p. https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/library-bibliotheque/4098218x.pdfGuijarro-Sabaniel, J., Thomson, J. A., Vercaemer, B. and Wong, M. C. 2024. National Eelgrass Task Force (NETForce): Building a dynamic, open eelgrass map for Canada. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3583: v + 31 p. https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/library-bibliotheque/41223147.pdf

Across the Canadian North, Arctic Char, Salvelinus alpinus, are culturally important and critical for maintaining subsistence lifestyles and ensuring food security for Inuit. Arctic Char also support economic development initiatives in many Arctic communities through the establishment of coastal and inland commercial char fisheries. The Halokvik River, located near the community of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, has supported a commercial fishery for anadromous Arctic Char since the late 1960s. The sustainable management of this fishery, however, remains challenging given the lack of biological data on Arctic Char from this system and the limited information on abundance and biomass needed for resolving sustainable rates of exploitation. In 2013 and 2014, we enumerated the upstream run of Arctic Char in this system using a weir normally used for commercial harvesting. Additionally, we measured fish length and used T-bar anchor tags to mark a subset of the run. Subsequently, we estimated population size using capture-mark-recapture (CMR) methods. The estimated number of Arctic Char differed substantially between years. In 2013, 1967 Arctic Char were enumerated whereas in 2014, 14,502 Arctic Char were enumerated. We attribute this marked difference primarily to differences in weir design between years. There was also no significant relationship between daily mean water temperature and number of Arctic Char counted per day in either year of the enumeration. The CMR population estimates of Arctic Char (those ≥450mm in length) for 2013 and 2014 were 35,546 (95% C.I 30,513-49,254) and 48,377 (95% C.I. 37,398-74,601) respectively. The 95% CI overlapped between years, suggesting that inter-annual differences may not be as extreme as what is suggested by the enumeration. The population estimates reported here are also the first estimates of population size for an Arctic Char stock in the Cambridge Bay region using CMR methodology. Overall, the results of this study will be valuable for understanding how population size may fluctuate over time in the region and for potentially providing advice on the sustainable rates of harvest for Halokvik River Arctic Char. Additionally, the results generated here may prove valuable for validating current stock assessment models that are being explored for estimating biomass and abundance for commercial stocks of Arctic Char in the region.

Situated in the Gwich’in settlement Area (GSA), the Rat River is inhabited by anadromous Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma malma) that are harvested by both Gwich’in and Inuvialuit beneficiaries. The harvest of Dolly Varden from the Rat River occurs during the summer at feeding areas along the coast (by the Inuvialuit) and during upstream migration in the Mackenzie Delta (by both Gwich’in and Inuvialuit). Dolly Varden stocks are co-managed under an Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) whose signatories include Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board, Fisheries Joint Management Committee, and Parks Canada Agency. The Rat River Working Group, the co-management body that makes recommendations for harvest levels for Dolly Varden stocks in the GSA, has supported research activities that facilitate implementation of the IFMP, including studies to monitor harvest levels and assess population status. Population studies (e.g., abundance estimates, biological and genetic sampling) and coastal harvest monitoring activities allow for a comprehensive assessment of this stock. The data are used to inform co-management partners on the status of Dolly Varden from the Rat River.