Summary The Quebec region of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is responsible for the assessment of several fish and invertebrate stocks exploited in the Estuary and the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The commercial catches sampling program is one of the sources of information used to complete these assessments. The data collected by this program, at wharf or at sea, offers among other things the advantage of a relatively large spatio-temporal coverage and provides some of the necessary knowledge to assess the demography and the structure of the exploited populations. This program is implemented by specialized DFO staff whose main mandate is to collect biological data on groundfish, pelagic fish and marine invertebrate species that are commercially exploited in the various marine communities. Data This dataset on the Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) includes the metadata, sample weight, fish length, the sex and the number of specimens measured. This dataset covers the period of 1995 to present. In order to protect the confidentiality of the sources, some informations (such as those concerning the vessel) have been excluded and others (such as the date of capture) have been simplified. Entries where there was only one vessel in a fishing area for a given year were also excluded. Further information including the fishing areas coordinates can be found by clicking on the «Atlantic and Arctic commercial fisheries» and «Fishing areas» links below.

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-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. Approximately 200 sampling stations are randomly attributed in 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 aimed 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 “Carbio” file containing biological and morphometric measurements per individual and a “Shrimps” file containing information on shrimp catches. The latest published data is preliminary and will be updated at the end of January of the following year. It's 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).

PURPOSE: Establishing efficient, non-destructive sampling methods for clam population assessments. DESCRIPTION: In the Gulf of St. Lawrence (GSL) Management Region, clam assessments are uncommon due to limited resources and the labour-intensive nature of sampling clam beds. Furthermore, clam assessments typically rely on destructive sampling that disturbs sediment and removes animals from their habitat. Establishing efficient, non-destructive sampling methods for clam population assessments can reduce the impact of scientific sampling on these habitats and provide for more efficient monitoring. In this study, we tested the idea that visually observing siphon holes on the sediment surface could predict the presence, number, and size of soft-shell clams across different sites in the southern GSL. Siphon holes reasonably predicted the presence, number, and size/biomass of soft-shell clams in most, but not all, sites. Thus, in many habitats in the GSL, siphon holes can be used for population assessments, providing a powerful tool to enhance Science advice to fisheries managers. Data was collected at the following sites: * Maisonnette, Parc Maisonnette, Maisonnette, New Brunswick, Canada * Kouchibouguac, Loggiecroft wharf, Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick, Canada * Shemogue, Amos Point Road, Little Shemogue, New Brunswick, Canada * Powell's Cove, Powell's Point Provincial Park, Little Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada PARAMETERS COLLECTED: - Clam abundance - Clam biomass (total sample) - Clam size (length, weight) - Siphon hole abundance - Siphon hole size - Siphon hole characterization (i.e., identification of actual clam based on shape) - Seawater temperature - Sediment grain size - Sediment organic content (%) - Sediment relative moisture content (%) NOTES ON QUALITY CONTROL: Original data entry by Jillian Hunt and/or Isabelle Brennan. Data checked and validated prior to analysis by Jeff Clements. Data further checked and validated prior to publication by Amélie Robichaud. PHYSICAL SAMPLE DETAILS: No physical samples retained. - Clam samples returned back to original habitat after measuring and weighing in the field. - Sediment core samples stored in walk-in freezer and discarded after processing and analysis. SAMPLING METHODS: i. Identifying, counting, weighing, and measuring (with calipers) clams ii. Identifying, counting, and measuring (with calipers) clam siphon holes iii. Seawater temperature monitoring via data loggers iv. Sediment grain size, organic content, and moisture content analysis USE LIMITATION: To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.

PURPOSE: These data have been updated following a Canadian Science Advice Secretariat (CSAS) Regional Science Advisory Process. Associated publications are available in the citation section below or will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available. The dataset supports stock assessment by providing estimates of total returns of large and small Atlantic salmon to each Salmon Fishing Area (SFA) from 15 to 18, as well as to Gulf region rivers overall. DESCRIPTION: This dataset contains annual estimates of total returns of large and small Atlantic salmon to Salmon Fishing Areas (SFAs) 15 to 18 and to Gulf region rivers, as part of the stock assessment process up to the year 2022. USE LIMITATION: To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.

Summary The Quebec region of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is responsible for the assessment of several fish and invertebrate stocks exploited in the Estuary and the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The commercial catches sampling program is one of the sources of information used to complete these assessments. The data collected by this program, at wharf or at sea, offers among other things the advantage of a relatively large spatio-temporal coverage and provides some of the necessary knowledge to assess the demography and the structure of the exploited populations. This program is implemented by specialized DFO staff whose main mandate is to collect biological data on groundfish, pelagic fish and marine invertebrate species that are commercially exploited in the various marine communities. Data This dataset on the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) includes the metadata, sample weight, fish length, the sex and the number of specimens measured. This dataset covers the period of 1983 to present. In order to protect the confidentiality of the sources, some informations (such as those concerning the vessel) have been excluded and others (such as the date of capture) have been simplified. Entries where there was only one vessel in a fishing area for a given year were also excluded. Further information including the fishing areas coordinates can be found by clicking on the «Atlantic and Arctic commercial fisheries» and «Fishing areas» links below.

Moored instrument time series data include current velocity, temperature, salinity, oxygen, fluorescence, transmissivity, turbidity, sediment trap data and particle capture of carbon, nitrogen, and silicon. These data were collected by researchers from the Institute of Ocean Sciences, Sidney, BC, from locations in the North Pacific. The data links below are only a representative sample of the entire collection. If you require more data, please send your request to the data contact.

Summary The Quebec region of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is responsible for the assessment of several fish and invertebrate stocks exploited in the Estuary and the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The commercial catches sampling program is one of the sources of information used to complete these assessments. The data collected by this program, at wharf or at sea, offers among other things the advantage of a relatively large spatio-temporal coverage and provides some of the necessary knowledge to assess the demography and the structure of the exploited populations. This program is implemented by specialized DFO staff whose main mandate is to collect biological data on groundfish, pelagic fish and marine invertebrate species that are commercially exploited in the various marine communities. Data This dataset on the Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) includes the metadata, sample weight, fish length, the sex and the number of specimens measured. This dataset covers the periods of 1976-1977 and 1984 to present. In order to protect the confidentiality of the sources, some informations (such as those concerning the vessel) have been excluded and others (such as the date of capture) have been simplified. Entries where there was only one vessel in a fishing area for a given year were also excluded. Further information including the fishing areas coordinates can be found by clicking on the «Atlantic and Arctic commercial fisheries» and «Fishing areas» links below.

Results from temperature preference experiments demonstrated that individual personality was consistent and repeatability. Individual preferred and maximum avoidance temperatures were significantly reduced in hypoxia compared to normoxia. Standard metabolic rate increased with temperature and body mass. Patterns of projected habitat change suggest the spatial extent of the current distribution of Carmine shiner would shift north with global warming. The understanding of habitat requirements and responses to climate will aid management and recovery efforts for this threatened species. Cite this dataset as: Enders, Eva. Data of: Carmine Shiner Conservation Physiology. Arctic and Aquatic Research Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg Manitoba. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/a6a606a4-8cdc-48e9-812c-7bdcd84840e7

PURPOSE: The objective of the program is to gather environmental coastal data to better understand fluctuations in water temperature and its effect on coastal marine species. DESCRIPTION: Bottom and surface water temperatures are monitored in coastal waters of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence using electronic recording devices attached to navigational buoys or moorings and set to record every two hours. PARAMETERS COLLECTED: temperature (environmental); point (spatial) NOTES ON QUALITY CONTROL: Data are checked for irregularities. SAMPLING METHODS: Temperature recording devices are installed by fishermen, DFO staff and, since 2000, by the Canadian Coast Guard staff. USE LIMITATION: To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.

Summary The Quebec region of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is responsible for the assessment of several fish and invertebrate stocks exploited in the Estuary and the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The commercial catches sampling program is one of the sources of information used to complete these assessments. The data collected by this program, at wharf or at sea, offers among other things the advantage of a relatively large spatio-temporal coverage and provides some of the necessary knowledge to assess the demography and the structure of the exploited populations. This program is implemented by specialized DFO staff whose main mandate is to collect biological data on groundfish, pelagic fish and marine invertebrate species that are commercially exploited in the various marine communities. Data This dataset on the common softshell clam (Mya arenaria) includes the metadata, sample weight, the shell width and the number of specimens measured. This dataset covers the periods of 1994 and 2004-2010. In order to protect the confidentiality of the sources, some informations (such as those concerning the vessel) have been excluded and others (such as the date of capture) have been simplified. Entries where there was only one vessel in a fishing area for a given year were also excluded. Further information including the fishing areas coordinates can be found by clicking on the «Atlantic and Arctic commercial fisheries» and «Fishing areas» links below.