The shallow substrate bottom type model was created to support near shore habitat modelling. Data sources include both available observations of bottom type and environmental predictor layers including oceanographic layers, fetch, and bathymetry and its derivatives. Using weighted random forest classification from the ranger R package, the relationship between observed bottom type and predictor layers can be determined, allowing bottom type to be classified across the study areas. The predicted raster files are classified as follows: 1) Rock, 2) Mixed, 3) Sand, 4) MudThe categorical substrate model domains are restricted to the extent of the input bathymetry layers (see data sources) which is 5 km from the 50 m depth contour.

This deep water substrate bottom type model was created to aid in habitat modeling, and to complement the nearshore bottom patches. It was created from a combination of bathymetrically-derived layers in addition to bottom type observations. Using random forest classification, the relationship between observed substrates and bathymetric derivatives was estimated across the entire area of interest. The raster is categorized into: 1) Rock, 2) Mixed, 3) Sand, 4) Mud

Layer that includes the known information on the american shad breeding areas in the St. Lawrence River and Estuary according to a literature review of documents produced between 1976 and 1997.Additional InformationAmerican shad's breeding areas were produced according to a literature review of the following documents:Blais, J.-P. et V. Legendre. 1976. La ouananiche, Salmo salar, du lac Tremblant, Québec. Québec, Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Direction régionale de Montréal, Rapp. tech. 06-11, 116 p.Boulet, M., J. Leclerc et P. Dumont. 1995. Programme triennal d'étude sur le suceur cuivré. Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Faune, Service de l'aménagement et de l'exploitation de la faune, Montréal, Rapp. d'étape, 61 p.Boulet, M., Y. Chagnon et J. Leclerc. 1996. Recherche et caractérisation des aires de fraye des suceurs cuivré et ballot au bief d'aval du barrage de Saint-Ours (rivière Richelieu) en 1992. Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Faune, Service de l'aménagement et de l'exploitation de la faune, Longueuil, Rapp. trav. 06-38, xi + 37 p.Dumont, P. et R. Fortin. 1977. Relations entre les niveaux d'eau printaniers et la reproduction du Grand Brochet du Haut-Richelieu et de la baie Missisquoi. Université du Québec à Montréal, Département des sciences biologiques, pour le Bureau international Champlain Richelieu, Comité d'impact sur l'environnement, x + 108 p.Dumont, P. et S. Desjardins. 1989. Lettre adressée à M. André Poulin du Département de géographie, Université de Sherbrooke, au sujet de la faune et les habitats de la portion aval de la rivière aux Brochets. Québec, Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Direction régionale de Montréal. Dumont, P., J. Leclerc et L. Bouthillier. 1989a. Données d'inventaire, baie Brazeau, rivière des Outaouais, été 1989. Québec, Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Service de l'aménagement et de l'exploitation de la faune, Montréal. [Données non publiées].Environnement Illimité inc. 1994. Centrale Les Cèdres - Nouvel aménagement. Avant-projet phase 2, études environnementales. Description du milieu biologique. Volumes 1 et 2. Rapport préparé pour la Vice-Présidence Environnement Hydro-Québec, Service production, réfection et localisation, 241 p. + annexes.Fournier, P. et L.-M. Soyez. 1988. Étude de l'utilisation faunique printanière du marais de Rosemère. Québec, Ministre du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Service de l'aménagement et de l'exploitation de la faune, Montréal, 13 p.Gagnon, M., Y. Ménard et J.-F. La Rue. 1993. Caractérisation et évaluation des habitats du poisson dans la zone de transition saline du Saint-Laurent. Rapp. tech. can. sci. halieut. aquat. 1920: viii + 104 p.Gendron, M. 1986. Rivière-des-Prairies. Aménagement d'un haut-fond, printemps 1986. Groupe de recherche SEEEQ ltée pour la Direction Environnement d'Hydro-Québec, 103 p.Gendron, M. 1987. Rivière-des-Prairies. Suivi de l'aménagement d'un haut-fond, printemps 1987. Le Groupe de recherche SEEEQ ltée pour la Direction Environnement d'Hydro-Québec, 60 p.Gendron, M. 1988. Rivière-des-Prairies. Suivi de l'aménagement du haut-fond, synthèse 1982-1988. Le Groupe de recherche SEEEQ ltée pour le Service de recherche en environnement et santé publique, Vice-Présidence Environnement, Hydro-Québec, 95 p.Guay, G. et M. Couillard. 1985. Étude de l'utilisation printannière et autonmale des rapides de Lachine par les poissons. Environnement Illimité inc. pour le Secrétariat Archipel, 167 pages + annexes.Laramée, P. 1983. La vie printanière dans les rapides de Lachine : Reproduction des poissons. Éco-Recherches inc. pour Vice-Présidence Environnement Hydro-Québec et le Secrétariat Archipel, 30 p. + 7 annexes. Leclerc, J. 1983. La montaison de l'Alose savoureuse dans la rivière des Mille Iles en 1983. Rapport réalisé par Bio-Conseil inc. pour le compte du Service des études hydrauliques et écologiques, Ministère de l'Environnement du Québec, 45 p.Letendre, M., B. Dumas et M. Beaudoin. 1990. Inventaire de la rivière des Prairies, au niveau de l'île de Pierre. Québec, Ministère du Loisir de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Service de l'aménagement et de l'exploitation de la faune, Montréal. [Travaux en cours].Provost, J., L. Verret et P. Dumont. 1984. L'Alose savoureuse au Québec : synthèse des connaissances biologiques et perspectives d'aménagement d'habitats. Canada, Ministère des Pêches et Océans, Direction de la recherche sur les pêches, Laboratoire de Québec, Rapport manuscrit canadien des sciences halieutiques et aquatiques no 1793, xi + 114 p.Thérrien, J., H. Marquis, G Shooner et P. Bérubé.1991. Caractérisation des habitats recherchés pour la fraie des principales espèces de poisson du fleuve Saint-Laurent (Cornwall à Montmagny). Étude réalisée pas le Groupe Environnement Shooner inc. Pour le compte du Ministère des Pêches et des Océans du Canada. 16 p.

Layer that includes the known information on lake sturgeon breeding, feeding and concentration areas in the St. Lawrence River and Estuary according to a literature review of documents produced between 1976 and 2002.Additional InformationLake sturgeon's breeding, feeding and concentration areas were produced according to a literature review of the following documents:Blais, J.-P. et V. Legendre. 1976. La ouananiche, Salmo salar, du lac Tremblant, Québec. Québec, Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Direction régionale de Montréal, Rapp. tech. 06-11, 116 p.Bouthillier, L., P. Dumont et G. Roy. 1993. Répertoire des habitats du poisson de la région de Montréal, Québec. Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche du Québec, Direction régionale de Montréal. ii + 6 p. + fiches d'habitats + 18 cartes d'habitats à l'échelle 1:50 000 + bibliographie 15 p.Desjardins, S. et P. Dumont. 1990. Avis du ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche au sujet de l'acceptabilité environnementale du projet Soligaz. Québec, Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Direction régionale de Montréal.Dimension Environnement SNC. 1990. Évaluation de l'abondance de l'Esturgeon jaune (Acipenser fulvescens) dans la baie du Cap St-Michel. Rapport complémentaire présenté au ministère de l'Environnement du Québec dans le cadre de l'étude d'impact sur l'environnement du projet Soligaz, Montréal, 24 p.Dumont, P. et R. Fortin. 1977. Relations entre les niveaux d'eau printaniers et la reproduction du Grand Brochet du Haut-Richelieu et de la baie Missisquoi. Université du Québec à Montréal, Département des sciences biologiques, pour le Bureau international Champlain Richelieu, Comité d'impact sur l'environnement, x + 108 p.Dumont, P., J. Leclerc et L. Bouthillier. 1989b. Données d'inventaire, marais Fraser, lac Saint-François, Cazaville. Été 1989. Québec, Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Service de l'aménage¬ment et de l'exploitation de la faune, Montréal. [Données non publiées].Dumont, P., J. Leclerc et Y. Chagnon. 1990. Pêche électrique sur la rivière Yamaska le 18 avril 1990. Québec, Ministère du Loisir de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Service de l'aménagement et de l'exploitation de la faune, Montréal. [Données non publiées].Enquête auprès des pêcheurs et agents du MEF et du MPO. 1995.Fournier, P. et L.-M. Soyez. 1988. Étude de l'utilisation faunique printanière du marais de Rosemère. Québec, Ministre du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Service de l'aménagement et de l'exploitation de la faune, Montréal, 13 p.Gendron, M. 1986. Rivière-des-Prairies. Aménagement d'un haut-fond, printemps 1986. Groupe de recherche SEEEQ ltée pour la Direction Environnement d'Hydro-Québec, 103 p.Gendron, M. 1987. Rivière-des-Prairies. Suivi de l'aménagement d'un haut-fond, printemps 1987. Le Groupe de recherche SEEEQ ltée pour la Direction Environnement d'Hydro-Québec, 60 p.Gendron, M. 1988. Rivière-des-Prairies. Suivi de l'aménagement du haut-fond, synthèse 1982-1988. Le Groupe de recherche SEEEQ ltée pour le Service de recherche en environnement et santé publique, Vice-Présidence Environnement, Hydro-Québec, 95 p.LaHaye, M. et R. Fortin. 1990. Caractérisation de l'habitat de fraie et de l'habitat des juvéniles de l'Esturgeon jaune (Acipenser fulvescens) dans la région de Montréal. Rapport de recherche préparé pour le Département des sciences biologiques de l'Université du Québec à Montréal, 81 p. + annexes.Letendre, M., B. Dumas et M. Beaudoin. 1990. Inventaire de la rivière des Prairies, au niveau de l'île de Pierre. Québec, Ministère du Loisir de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Service de l'aménagement et de l'exploitation de la faune, Montréal. [Travaux en cours].Société de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec. 2000. Atlas des habitats critiques connus ou d'intérêt particulier pour les poissons du fleuve Saint-Laurent entre le port de Montréal et l'Île aux Coudres. Direction du développement de la faune.Therrien, J., Marquis, H., Shooner, G. et Bérubé, P. 1991. Caractérisation des habitats recherchés pour la fraie des principales espèces de poisson du fleuve Saint-Laurent (Cornwall à Montmagny). Études réalisées par le Groupe Environnement Shooner inc. Pour le compte des ministères des Pêches et des Océans et de l'Environnement du Canada. 16 pages. Un atlas accompagne ce document.Tremblay, S. 1996. Caractérisation de la pêcherie commerciale à l'esturgeon noir (Acipenser oxyrinchus) dans le secteur de Montmagny en 1994. Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Faune, Direction de la faune et des habitats. Rapport technique. 27 p.Trencia, G. 2002. Communication personnelle avec Guy Trencia, Faune et Parcs Québec.

A coastal surficial substrate layer for the coastal Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy. To create the layer, previous geological characterizations from NRCan were translated into consistent substrate and habitat characterizations; including surficial grain size and primary habitat type. In areas where no geological description was available, data including digital elevation models and substrate samples from NRCan, CHS and DFO Science were interpreted to produce a regional scale substrate and habitat characterization. Each characterization in the layer was given a ranking of confidence and original data resolution to ensure that decision makers are informed of the quality and scale of data that went into each interpretation.Cite this data as: Greenlaw, M., Harvey, C. Data of: A substrate classification for the Inshore Scotian Shelf and Bay of Fundy, Maritimes Region. Published: March 2022. Coastal Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews, N.B. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/f2c493e4-ceaa-11eb-be59-1860247f53e3

The shallow, coastal regions of the world’s oceans are highly productive ecosystems providing important habitat for commercial, forage, endangered, and iconic species. Given the diversity of ecosystem services produced or supported by this ecosystem, a better understanding of its structure and function is central to developing an ecosystem-based approach to management. However this region termed the ‘white strip’ by marine geologists because of the general lack of high-resolution bathymetric data - is dynamic, highly variable, and difficult to access making data collection challenging and expensive. Since substrate is a key indicator of habitat in this important ecosystem, we created a continuous substrate map of Bottom Patches (BoPs) from the best available bottom type data using an approach that is simple, quantitative, and transparent making it amenable to iterative improvement as data quality and availability improve. To provide subsequent analyses (such as habitat models) with some confidence in the defined bottom type values, we developed a corresponding confidence surface based on the agreement of, and distance between observations. Such data are critical to assessments of species distributions and anthropogenic risk. Bottom patches (BoPs) have been created to represent bottom type for the entire Pacific Canadian coast from the high high water line to a depth of 50 metres (m). As a polygon representation, the BoPs describe patches of similar substrate prescribed by depth classes and the available field observations. In the areas where no observations are available, predicted bottom type values are used. The approach is described in Gregr et al. (2013), as a spatial framework for representing nearshore ecosystems. Accuracy of the bottom type depends on a multitude of factors but primarily the reliability and density of the bottom type observations. The horizontal accuracy of these data likely ranges from metres to 10s of metres because of the source data or data processing required. Areas with a higher data density, where the data show strong coherence, are understood to have higher accuracy. The BoPs use depth ribbons (polygons describing bathymetric ecozones) as an input. Depth ribbons for Pacific Canada were created from a high resolution (20 x 20 m2) bathymetry. Given the resolution of these data, processing was facilitated by dividing the Pacific Coast into 5 regions.The West Coast of Vancouver Island, extending from Cape Sutil in the North past Port San Juan to the South, includes a total of 110,313 BoP polygons. Bottom Patches for Queen Charlotte Strait and Strait of Georgia regions were combined for a total of 235,754 BoP polygons. The North Central Coast region, extending from the Alaskan border in the North to Cape Caution in the South, includes a total of 431,639 BoP polygons. The Haida Gwaii region includes a total of 86,825 BoP polygons.These data are intended for scientific research only. The developers (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, SciTech Environmental Consulting) are not responsible for damages resulting from any omissions or errors that may be contained in this dataset and expressly disclaims any warranty of fitness for any particular purpose. Developers shall not be liable for any losses, financial or otherwise, due to the use of these data. The user assumes the entire risk as to the suitability, results and performance of the dataset for their proposed use. Please credit SciTech and Fisheries and Oceans Canada as the source of the data in any maps, reports, or articles that are printed or published on paper or the Internet.

2014 to 2023 pelagic fish group richness in the Estuary and Gulf of St.Lawrence estimated by the number of species found in each grid cell 10 km x 10 km. Input data are from the annual August and September multidisciplinary surveys.PurposeSince 1990, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has been conducting an annual multidisciplinary survey in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence using a standardized protocol. In the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, these bottom trawl surveys has been carrying out each September since 1971. These missions are an important source of information about the status of the marine ressources.The objectives of the surveys are multiple: to estimate the abundance and biomass of groundfish and invertebrates, to identify the spatial distribution and biological characteristics of these species, to monitor the biodiversity of the Estuary and Gulf and finally, to describe the environmental conditions observed in the area at the moment of the sampling.The southern Gulf surveys are realized using the following standardized protocol:Hurlbut,T. and D.Clay (eds) 1990. Protocols for Research Vessel Cruises within the Gulf Region (Demersal Fish) (1970-1987). Can. MS Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. No. 2082: 143p.The sampling protocols used for the Estuary and northern Gulf surveys are described in details in the following publications:Bourdages, H., Archambault, D., Bernier, B., Fréchet, A., Gauthier, J., Grégoire, F., Lambert, J., et Savard, L. 2010. Résultats préliminaires du relevé multidisciplinaire de poissons de fond et de crevette d’août 2009 dans le nord du golfe du Saint-Laurent. Rapp. stat. can. sci. halieut. aquat. 1226 : xii+ 72 p. Bourdages, H., Archambault, D., Morin, B., Fréchet, A., Savard, L., Grégoire, F., et Bérubé, M. 2003. Résultats préliminaires du relevé multidisciplinaire de poissons de fond et de crevette d’août 2003 dans le nord du golfe du Saint-Laurent. Secr. can. consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. rech. 2003/078. vi + 68 p.Annual reports are available at the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS), (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/index-eng.htm).Bourdages, H., Brassard, C., Desgagnés, M., Galbraith, P., Gauthier, J., Légaré, B., Nozères, C. and Parent, E. 2017. Preliminary results from the groundfish and shrimp multidisciplinary survey in August 2016 in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2017/002. v + 87 p.

Funded through DFO's Strategic Program for Ecosystem-based Research and Advice (SPERA), this benthic survey covers several seabed areas adjacent to Deer Island and Campobello Island, the Wolves Islands, and Grand Manan (NB) over a two-year study period (2016-2017). One hundred and fifty drift camera transects were completed within the ~91 sq-km study region collecting continuous high-definition video with periodic 4K resolution video (provided by a downward facing Blackmagic Production Camera 4K equipped with video lights). A Nikon D800 36.1 megapixel digital still imagery camera (equipped with a studio strobe light) captured seafloor images at ~30s intervals over a maximum 25-minute drift survey period. The camera was triggered by lowering the camera frame within 1 m of the seabed, releasing tension on a trigger weight suspended below the frame. Camera location was tracked using an ultra-short baseline acoustic positioning system (Tracklink 1500HA transceiver with 1505B transponder on the camera frame). Species presence/absence, abundance, and bottom type was recorded manually using PhotoQuad v1.4 software. An average field of view of 0.7 x 0.5 m was determined from a subset of digital still images within which the 10 cm diameter trigger weight was fully in view. Thirty-eight key and common species were described using explicit taxonomic identifiers, while other species were recorded within broader general categories (e.g. unidentified Cnidaria). Identification was made to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Primary bottom-type was defined as the grain size with the most percent coverage for each image/video interval. Grain size limits were determined using the Wentworth scale.Cite this data as: Lawton P. Benthic Species Presence/Absence in the Lower Bay of Fundy Derived From High Resolution Video and Still Imagery. Published May 2022. Coastal Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S.

2014 to 2023 demersal fish group richness in the Estuary and Gulf of St.Lawrence estimated by the number of species found in each grid cell 10 km x 10 km. Input data are from the annual August and September multidisciplinary surveys.PurposeSince 1990, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has been conducting an annual multidisciplinary survey in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence using a standardized protocol. In the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, these bottom trawl surveys has been carrying out each September since 1971. These missions are an important source of information about the status of the marine ressources.The objectives of the surveys are multiple: to estimate the abundance and biomass of groundfish and invertebrates, to identify the spatial distribution and biological characteristics of these species, to monitor the biodiversity of the Estuary and Gulf and finally, to describe the environmental conditions observed in the area at the moment of the sampling.The southern Gulf surveys are realized using the following standardized protocol:Hurlbut,T. and D.Clay (eds) 1990. Protocols for Research Vessel Cruises within the Gulf Region (Demersal Fish) (1970-1987). Can. MS Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. No. 2082: 143p.The sampling protocols used for the Estuary and northern Gulf surveys are described in details in the following publications:Bourdages, H., Archambault, D., Bernier, B., Fréchet, A., Gauthier, J., Grégoire, F., Lambert, J., et Savard, L. 2010. Résultats préliminaires du relevé multidisciplinaire de poissons de fond et de crevette d’août 2009 dans le nord du golfe du Saint-Laurent. Rapp. stat. can. sci. halieut. aquat. 1226 : xii+ 72 p. Bourdages, H., Archambault, D., Morin, B., Fréchet, A., Savard, L., Grégoire, F., et Bérubé, M. 2003. Résultats préliminaires du relevé multidisciplinaire de poissons de fond et de crevette d’août 2003 dans le nord du golfe du Saint-Laurent. Secr. can. consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. rech. 2003/078. vi + 68 p.Annual reports are available at the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS), (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/index-eng.htm).Bourdages, H., Brassard, C., Desgagnés, M., Galbraith, P., Gauthier, J., Légaré, B., Nozères, C. and Parent, E. 2017. Preliminary results from the groundfish and shrimp multidisciplinary survey in August 2016 in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2017/002. v + 87 p.

2014 to 2023 pelagic fish abundance in the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The abundance is expressed as a number of individuals per normalized trawl set. Each species is individually represented in the northern Gulf and in the southern Gulf. Input data are from the annual August (North) and September (South) multidisciplinary surveys. The pelagic species represented are: Arctic Cod, Atlantic Argentine, Atlantic Herring, Atlantic Mackerel, Atlantic Soft Pout, Capelin, Lumpfish, Pollock, Rainbow Smelt, Sand Lances, Silver Hake, Threespine Stickleback and White Barracudina.PurposeSince 1990, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has been conducting an annual multidisciplinary survey in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence using a standardized protocol. In the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, these bottom trawl surveys has been carrying out each September since 1971. These missions are an important source of information about the status of the marine ressources.The objectives of the surveys are multiple: to estimate the abundance and biomass of groundfish and invertebrates, to identify the spatial distribution and biological characteristics of these species, to monitor the biodiversity of the Estuary and Gulf and finally, to describe the environmental conditions observed in the area at the moment of the sampling.The southern Gulf surveys are realized using the following standardized protocol:Hurlbut,T. and D.Clay (eds) 1990. Protocols for Research Vessel Cruises within the Gulf Region (Demersal Fish) (1970-1987). Can. MS Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. No. 2082: 143p.The sampling protocols used for the Estuary and northern Gulf surveys are described in details in the following publications:Bourdages, H., Archambault, D., Bernier, B., Fréchet, A., Gauthier, J., Grégoire, F., Lambert, J., et Savard, L. 2010. Résultats préliminaires du relevé multidisciplinaire de poissons de fond et de crevette d’août 2009 dans le nord du golfe du Saint-Laurent. Rapp. stat. can. sci. halieut. aquat. 1226 : xii+ 72 p. Bourdages, H., Archambault, D., Morin, B., Fréchet, A., Savard, L., Grégoire, F., et Bérubé, M. 2003. Résultats préliminaires du relevé multidisciplinaire de poissons de fond et de crevette d’août 2003 dans le nord du golfe du Saint-Laurent. Secr. can. consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. rech. 2003/078. vi + 68 p.Annual reports are available at the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS), (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/index-eng.htm).Bourdages, H., Brassard, C., Desgagnés, M., Galbraith, P., Gauthier, J., Légaré, B., Nozères, C. and Parent, E. 2017. Preliminary results from the groundfish and shrimp multidisciplinary survey in August 2016 in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2017/002. v + 87 p.