This dataset contains area-based management measures that qualify as 'other effective area-based conservation measures' ('other measures') according to DFO's Operational Guidance for Identifying ‘Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures’ in Canada’s Marine Environment (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/publications/oeabcm-amcepz/index-eng.html). It also contains basic information about these ‘other measures’, specifically their names, objectives, and prohibitions. The identification of existing, and establishment of new, 'other measures' is an important element of Canada’s strategy to meet its marine conservation targets to protect 5 percent of Canada’s marine and coastal areas by 2017 and 10 percent by 2020. 'Other measures' will be evaluated regularly, taking the most recent available information into account. In addition new 'other measures' will be identified or established over time. Therefore, this data set may change over time, and is considered current as of its publication date stamp. The boundaries and attributes in this dataset are for information purposes only, and should not be considered legally authoritative.

Biological samples of Geoduck Clams have been collected during surveys in British Columbia as part of the broader survey objectives of determining Geoduck density, distribution and population structure. Samples of Geoducks were collected from 41 locations throughout British Columbia between 1993 and 2002. Clams were measured for total weight, shell length, shell weight and were aged. Biological parameters are presented here for individual clams sampled. See Bureau D., W. Hajas, N.W. Surry, C.M. Hand, G. Dovey and A. Campbell. 2002. Age, size structure and growth parameters of Geoducks (Panopea abrupta, Conrad 1849) from 34 locations in British Columbia sampled between 1993 and 2000. Can Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2413: 84 p. and Bureau D., W. Hajas, C.M. Hand and G. Dovey. 2003. Age, size structure and growth parameters of Geoducks (Panopea abrupta, Conrad 1849) from seven locations in British Columbia sampled in 2001 and 2002. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2494: 29 p.

Pacific Herring spawn index data for British Columbia from 1951 to present. Note that the spawn index is a relative index of spawning biomass. In addition, “NA" indicates that data are unavailable because they are either incomplete or withheld; contact the custodian for more information. For the "Region" column specifically, "NA" indicates that the location is outside stock assessment region boundaries. There are a few caveats to consider when interpreting Pacific Herring spawn index data, which are discussed in the technical report (see supporting documents).

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 “Biological characteristics” file containing morphometric measurements per individual and a “Shrimps” file containing information on shrimp catches. This data is also available via the 'Biodiversity' application on the St. Lawrence Global Observatory (SLGO). 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).

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 (2004-2021) 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. The specificities of the missions onboard the MV Lady Hammond are described below. Objectives: 1. Assess groundfish populations abundance and condition 2. Assess environmental conditions 3. Conduct a biodiversity inventory of benthic and demersal megafauna 4. Monitor the pelagic ecosystem 5. Collect samples for various research projects Survey description The survey covers 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). A stratified random sampling strategy is used for this survey and the fishing gear used on the MV Lady Hammond is a bottom trawl Western IIA. Standard trawling tows last 30 minutes, starting from the time the trawl touches the sea floor. Towing speed is 3.5 knots. Data For each fishing tow, the catch is sorted and weighed by taxa; individuals are counted and biological data are collected on a sub-sample. 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 otoliths are collected for redfish and Atlantic cod. Invertebrates are weighted and counted (no individual measurements). 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 “Freql” file containing the length frequency of fish. 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).

In place since fall 1994, the sentinel fisheries program is the result of a collaboration between Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Quebec and Newfoundland commercial fishermen's associations. Under this program, contracts are awarded by tender to fishermen’s associations to carry out fishing activities according to scientific protocols developed by DFO. The main objective of this survey is to collect data that will be used to calculate abundance indices for the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence Atlantic cod stock. Description of fixed gears survey The fixed gear sentinel fisheries of the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence are conducted in the sub-division 3Pn and the divisions 4R, 4S of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) using fixed gillnets or longlines (other fishing gears were also used at the start of the program). Fishing activities with nets must have a mesh size of 5 ½ inches (140mm) and are limited to a maximum of 6 to 20 nets depending on the region and capture and the target immersion time is between 19 to 24 hours. Longline fishing activities, for its part, must be carried out with traditional J #16 or C #12 hooks. The maximum number of hooks varies from 500 to 1000, depending on the catch, and the target immersion time is 4 to 6 hours. Data are collected by observers at sea or by technicians. Data For each fishing activity, the total catch is sorted and weighed by species. For each species other than Atlantic cod, the number of individuals caught is noted. Atlantic cod are then measured at the fork (cm). Other biological data such as weight (total, gonad, liver and stomach), age, sex and maturity can then be collected on a subsample of cod. 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, a “Freql” file containing the length frequency of fish. The data collected as part of this program is available below. It is important to note, however, that 1) only traits deemed successful have been retained; 2) historical data may contain inaccuracies; 3) the most recent survey is not available for validation purposes.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) conducted a winter multidisciplinary scientific surveys with a bottom trawl the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence and Cabot Straight from 1978 to 1994. The specificities of the missions onboard the MV Lady Hammond are described below. Objectives: 1. Assess groundfish populations abundance and condition 2. Assess environmental conditions 3. Conduct a biodiversity inventory of benthic and demersal megafauna 4. Collect samples for various research projects Survey description This winter survey covers the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence, that is the divisions 4R, 4S and 3Pn of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). A stratified random sampling strategy is used for this survey and the fishing gear used on the MV Gadus Atlantica is an Engel 145 Otter trawl. Standard trawling tows last 30 minutes, starting from the time the trawl touches the sea floor. Towing speed is 3.5 knots. Data For each fishing tow, the catch is sorted and weighed by taxa; individuals are 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 otoliths are collected for Greenland halibut and Atlantic cod. Invertebrates are weighted and counted (no individual measurements). 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 morphometric measurements per individual and a “Freql” file containing the length frequency of fish. 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).

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.

This dataset contains area-based management measures that qualify as 'other effective area-based conservation measures' ('other measures') according to DFO's Operational Guidance for Identifying ‘Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures’ in Canada’s Marine Environment (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/publications/oeabcm-amcepz/index-eng.html). It also contains basic information about these ‘other measures’, specifically their names, objectives, and prohibitions. The identification of existing, and establishment of new, 'other measures' is an important element of Canada’s strategy to meet its marine conservation targets to protect 5 percent of Canada’s marine and coastal areas by 2017 and 10 percent by 2020. 'Other measures' will be evaluated regularly, taking the most recent available information into account. In addition new 'other measures' will be identified or established over time. Therefore, this data set may change over time, and is considered current as of its publication date stamp. The boundaries and attributes in this dataset are for information purposes only, and should not be considered legally authoritative.

These datasets show commercial fisheries catch weight landings of directed fisheries and bycatch from the Scotian Shelf, the Bay of Fundy, and Georges Bank from NAFO Divisions 4VWX and the Canadian portions of 5Y and 5Z. Atlantic Canadian inter-regional maps of four species (Atlantic Halibut, Bluefin Tuna, Redfish and Scallop) are also included from NAFO Divisions 4RST, 3KLMNOP, and 2GHJ. Five-year composite maps (2014–2018) that aggregate catches for each map series are publicly available. The maps aggregate catch weight (kg) per 10 km2 hexagon grid cell for selected species, species groupings and gear types to identify important fishing areas. These maps may be used for decision making in coastal and oceans management, including marine spatial planning, environmental emergency response operations and protocols, Marine Stewardship Council certification processes, marine protected area networks, and ecological risk assessment. These datasets have been filtered to comply with the Government of Canada's privacy policy. Privacy assessments were conducted to identify NAFO unit areas containing data with less than five vessel IDs, licence IDs or fisher IDs. If this threshold was not met, catch weight locations were withheld from these unit areas to protect the identity or activity of individual vessels or companies. Maps were created for the following species, species groupings and gear types: 1. Groundfish (all species) 2. Groundfish Bottom Trawl 3. Groundfish Gillnet 4. Groundfish Bottom Longline 5. Groundfish (quarterly composites Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) 6. Atlantic Cod 7. Atlantic Cod, Haddock and Pollock 8. Flatfish 9. Atlantic Halibut 10. Greenland Halibut (Turbot) 11. Hagfish 12. Cusk 13. Dogfish 14. Redfish 15. Red Hake 16. Silver Hake 17. White Hake 18. Monkfish 19. Sculpin 20. Skate 21. Wolffish 22. Squid 23. Herring 24. Mackerel 25. Large Pelagics 26. Bluefin Tuna 27. Other Tuna 28. Swordfish 29. Porbeagle, Mako and Blue Shark 30. Snow Crab 31. Other Crab 32. Scallop 33. Scallop (quarterly composites Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) 34. Offshore Clam 35. Shrimp 36. Offshore Lobster 37. Disputed Zone Area 38B Lobster 38. Whelk