PURPOSE: To provide access to detailed stomach content data and associated metadata from Atlantic Bluefin Tuna sampled in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence from 2018 to 2023. These data support fisheries science by contributing to analyses of predator–prey dynamics, diet composition, and ecosystem understanding, as well as informing stock assessment and fisheries management activities within Fisheries and Oceans Canada. DESCRIPTION: This dataset contains metadata and stomach content information collected from Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (ABFT) caught from mid-August to late September in the commercial fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence between 2018 and 2023. Stomach samples were primarily obtained from fish harvested near the eastern end of Prince Edward Island, with additional samples collected from the Miscou/Baie‑des‑Chaleurs area in 2018 and 2019. SAMPLING METHODS: Fish were measured to the nearest curved fork length (cm) and weighed to the nearest round weight (kg). Stomachs were obtained directly from harvesters or through a fish buyer and were stored at −20 ◦C before being processed in the laboratory. Stomachs identification numbers were cross-referenced with ABFT tag numbers recorded by fish provider in order to obtain logbook and port data (catch location, time, weight length, sex, gear, etc.) for each sample. Stomachs were thawed in the laboratory and the content was sorted and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. For each stomach, prey were weighed collectively as a taxonomic group and individually to the nearest 0.1 g. Dead bait used to capture ABFT, identified by cut marks, were recorded and weighed but excluded from the analysis. Live bait items cannot be identified from stomach content analyses. Only a few otoliths were found in 2018 and their degraded quality precluded performing ageing or species identification. Rare and small prey items such as algae and rocks were classified in the category “other”. Fish remains that could not be identified were classified in the category “Unidentified teleostei remains”. For 2019 to 2023, when stomach content items could not be visually identified and when tissue was available, tissue samples were collected and stored at −20 °C for DNA barcoding analysis. DNA extraction, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 amplification, Sanger sequencing and species assignation were performed at the Plateforme d’Analyses Génomiques and Plateforme Bio-informatique of the Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (PAG-IBIS, Université Laval, Quebec city, QC, Canada, http://www.ibis.ulaval.ca/en/services-2/genomic-analysis-platform/). DNA was extracted from 20 mg of muscle tissue using the Omega Bio-tek E-Z-96 Tissue DNA Kit (Omega Bio-tek, Norcross GA, USA) following manufacturer instructions. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 region was amplified and sequenced as described in Hashemzadeh Segherloo et al., 2021). Sanger forward and reverse reads were analyzed independently using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool against non-redundant sequences to identify the top hit for each sequence. When samples could not be identified by a top hit sequence they were classified as “unidentifiable fish”. Prey items that were successfully identified using DNA barcoding were incorporated into the stomach content analysis database and used in all subsequent diet analyses (abundance, occurrence and weight). The weight of the items used in the database was the weight of the remains as they were, and not reconstructed weights calculated for a live animal of the species identified by the barcoding. USE LIMITATION: To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has conducted an annual multidisciplinary scientific survey using a bottom trawl in the Estuary and the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence during the summer since 1984. Over the years this survey has been conducted aboard four vessels: the MV Lady Hammond (1984-1990), the CCGS Alfred Needler (1990-2005), the CCGS Teleost (2004-2022) 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. However, comparative analyses have been carried out between vessels, and conversion factors are available upon request for a number of species. The specificities of the missions onboard the CCGS Cabot are described below. Objectives: 1. Assess groundfish and northern shrimp population abundance and condition 2. Assess environmental conditions 3. Conduct a biodiversity inventory of benthic and demersal megafauna 4. Assess phytoplankton and mesozooplankton abundance 5. Monitor the pelagic ecosystem 6. Collect samples for various research projects Survey description The 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. Each year, approximately 200 sampling stations are randomly selected within depth-based strata, ranging from around 40 m near the shores to close to 500 m in the deep channels. The fishing gear used on the CCGS Cabot is a four-sided modified 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 targeted towing speed is 3 knots. Data For each fishing tow, the catch is sorted and weighed by taxa; individuals are then counted, and biological data are collected from a subsample. For fish and certain invertebrate species, 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 3 files: a “Stations” file containing set information, a “Catches” file containing catches per set for all species caught and a “Carbio” file containing biological and morphometric measurements per individual all species measured except shrimps. The columns source_info, no_survey, nbpc and station_number serve as a common key linking the three datasets. To further link the “Captures” and the “Carbio” files to the species level (for fish and certain invertebrate species), use the columns source_info, no_survey, nbpc, station_number, strap_code, and category. Further shrimp biological and morphometric data are available but are not presented here in order to simplify data presentation. For access to the complete information, please contact the data management team (gddaiss-dmsaisb@dfo-mpo.gc.ca). The latest published data is preliminary and will be updated at the end of January of the following year. It is 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).

This table contains quality-controlled weather station data from various sources across Canada since 2006.

With the changing climate conditions, marine traffic along Canada’s coastal regions has increased over the past couple of decades and the need to improve our state of preparedness for oil-spill-related emergencies is critical. Baseline coastal information, such as shoreline form, substrate, and vegetation type, is required for prioritizing operations, coordinating onsite spill response activities (i.e. Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique [SCAT]), and providing information for wildlife and ecosystem management. Between 2010 and 2016, georeferenced high-definition videography and photos were collected for various study sites along the north coast of Canada. The study areas include Beaufort Sea, Mackenzie Delta channels and Banks Island in the western Canadian Arctic and James Bay, Hudson Bay, Nunavik, Resolute Bay, Victoria Strait, Baffin Island and Coronation Gulf in the eastern Canadian Arctic. Data was collected during ice-free and low tide conditions (where applicable) between July and September. Low-altitude helicopter surveys were conducted at each study site to capture video of the shoreline characteristics. In addition to acquiring videography, ground-based observations were recorded in several locations for validation. Shoreline segmentation was then carried out by manual interpretation of the oblique videography and the photos aided by ancillary data. This involved splitting and classifying the shoreline vectors based on homogeneity of the upper intertidal zone. Detailed geomorphological information (i.e. shoreline type, substrate, slope, height, accessibility etc.) describing the upper intertidal, lower intertidal, supratidal and backshore zones was extracted from the video and entered into a geospatial database using a customized data collection form. In addition, biological characteristics like biobands, water features, fauna, human use etc. observed along the coast were recorded. The data was also validated through ground observations (when available) and a second interpreter QA (quality analysis) was performed on each dataset (excluding Nunavik) to ensure high quality and consistency. The final dataset contains segments ranging in length from 150 metres to 2500 metres. In total, from 2010 to 2016, within the 8 study sites, about 16,800 km of shoreline were segmented.

This dataset contains observations of species occurrences from seafloor imagery collected by the remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) during the 2012 Expedition to Cobb Seamount. The ROV operated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada was a customized Deep Ocean Engineering Phantom HD2+2 which collected photographic images from 12 transects ranging from 35 m to 211 m in depth.

PURPOSE: This data relates to the Canadian Science Advice Secretariat (CSAS) Regional Science Advisory Process from the Limit Reference Point and Population Model Review of the Southern Gulf of Saint Lawrence Sea Scallop peer review meeting held on November 1-2, 2023. The SFAs 22 and 24 have been identified as the core scallop habitat within the sGSL for this process. Associated publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available. DESCRIPTION: Data on landings, fishing efforts, and catch per unit effort (CPUE) used in the stock assessment for southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL) sea scallop (_Placopecten magellanicus_) stock assessments and the limit reference point. The dataset contains corrected information from the following data sources: - DFO annual historic reports on landings and efforts - published documents about population assessments and surveys - logbooks, produced by DFO’s regional statistics - purchase slips, produced by DFO’s regional statistics - Catch per unit effort calculated by DFO's Science Branch Prior to 1947, data represents the combined landings that cannot be attributed to individual Scallop Fishing Areas (SFAs). USE LIMITATION: To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.

Survey data depicting the presence of the endangered Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussel (Gonidea angulata) from 2008-2011. Surveys were conducted by different researchers at different locations.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has been conducting surface water trawl surveys since 1992 in the coastal waters of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and Alaska and in the high seas of the Gulf of Alaska. These surveys initially focused on determining the migratory patterns (1992-2002) and on the growth and physiology (2003-2016) of juvenile Pacific Salmon. Data collected in shelf and slope waters at depths less than 400 meters off Washington and Oregon State are part of this larger survey series, but are limited to 1999-2001. These surveys focused on determining the migratory patterns of juvenile Pacific Salmon and had funding support from the Bonneville Power Administration as part of the 1995-2011 Canada-USA Salmon Shelf Survival Study. The intent of that study was to monitor and evaluate the effects of ocean conditions on the distribution, migration, growth, and survival of Pacific salmon during their first ocean year, and estimate the subsequent impacts on abundance of Chinook salmon adults returning to the Columbia River system.

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 condition 2. Assess environmental conditions 3. Conduct a biodiversity inventory of benthic and demersal megafauna 4. Assess phytoplankton and mesozooplankton abundance 5. Monitor the pelagic ecosystem 6. Inventory marine mammals populations 7. Inventory seabirds populations 8. Collect samples for various research projects Survey description The 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. Data For 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 a “Carbio” file containing biological and morphometric measurements per individual and a “Shrimps” file containing information on shrimp catches. 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).