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    To develop a database of high quality CTD observations at key locations in DFO’s Pacific Region, 22 stations have been selected for sampling as often as possible. Chief Scientists of DFO vessels with CTD equipment on board are asked to acquire a CTD profile at as many of these stations as possible. There may be circumstances that will prevent conducting a CTD cast but the intent is to collect as many as possible such that over time useful time series of CTD profiles will be available at these locations.

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    Ichthyoplankton surveys were conducted in the Strait of Georgia (British Columbia) during 1979-1981 to ascertain the onset of fish spawning, and to explore distributional pattern and estimate total biomass of fish species. Oblique tows were made using 0.25m2 Bongos equipped with 351 micron Nitex nets of modified SCOR design. All sampling gear was black to minimize potential avoidance and resulting catch bias. The tow procedure generally followed that established by CALCOFI. This dataset contains a compilation of corrected catches of juvenile fishes, fish eggs and fish larvae by station.

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    Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussels (Gonidea angulata) are listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as a species of special concern and have been re-assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as endangered. These fresh water mussels are only found in Canada in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. As a continuation of previous work and to inform future assessments and conservation efforts within this geographic range, seven easily accessible sites known to have high densities of G. angulata were selected as prospective index sites to monitor relative abundance (i.e. mussel bed density) using snorkel surveys. For lake sites, a two-stage sampling design was conducted using transects and quadrats. For the river site, cumulative counts from sides of the river were collected. Some sites were sampled only once while others were sampled multiple times from 2011-2016. Mean mussel densities across all surveys ranged from 0.19 to 2.86 mussels/m2, corresponding to site abundance estimates ranging from 102 to 3,276 mussels. Depth measurements were also taken at most sites to inform the Fish Water Management Tool of the Okanagan Water Management Board.

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    The atlas provides printable maps, Web Services and downloadable data files representing seabirds at-sea densities in eastern Canada. The information provided on the open data web site can be used to identify areas where seabirds at sea are found in eastern Canada. However, low survey effort or high variation in some areas introduces uncertainty in the density estimates provided. The data and maps found on the open data web site should therefore be interpreted with an understanding of this uncertainty. Data were collected using ships of opportunity surveys and therefore spatial and seasonal coverage varies considerably. Densities are computed using distance sampling to adjust for variation in detection rates among observers and survey conditions. Depending on conditions, seabirds can be difficult to identify to species level. Therefore, densities at higher taxonomic levels are provided. more details in the document: Atlas_SeabirdsAtSea-OiseauxMarinsEnMer.pdf. By clicking on "View on Map" you will visualize a example of the density measured for all species combined from April to July - 2006-2020. ESRI REST or WMS map services can be added to your web maps or opened directly in your desktop mapping applications. These are alternatives to downloading and provide densities for all taxonomical groups and species as well as survey effort.

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    Morrison Creek lamprey, Lampetra richardsoni variety marifuga are found only in Morrison Creek in Courtenay, BC. In 1995, this variety was designated Endangered by COSEWIC and is currently protected under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). For the years, 2011-2013 and 2015-2017, efforts were made to live trap Morrison Creek lamprey on and around spawning time. In 2014, DFO worked collaboratively with Hancock Forestry Management to assess the extent of the distribution of lamprey within the headwaters of Morrison creek on the land owned by the company. This dataset includes data for 2011 to 2017 inclusive.

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    Daily sea surface temperature and salinity observations have been carried out at several locations on the coast of British Columbia since the early part of the 20th century. Observations started at the Pacific Biological Station (Departure Bay) in 1914; 11 stations were added in the mid-1930s and several more in the 1960s. The number of stations reporting at any given time has varied as sampling has been discontinued at some stations and started or resumed at others. Presently termed the British Columbia Shore Station Oceanographic Program (BCSOP), there are 12 active participating stations. Most of the stations are at lighthouses staffed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, but three (Race Rocks, Amphitrite Point, and Active Pass) are sampled by contracted observers. Observations are made daily using seawater collected in a bucket lowered into the surface water at or near the daytime high tide. This sampling method was designed long ago by Dr. John P. Tully and has not been changed in the interests of a homogeneous data set. This means, for example, that if an observer starts sampling one day at 6 a.m., and continues to sample at the daytime high tide on the second day the sample will be taken at about 06:50 the next day, 07:40 the day after etc. When the daytime high-tide gets close to 6 p.m. the observer will then begin again to sample early in the morning, and the cycle continues. Since there is a day/night variation in the sea surface temperatures the daily time series will show a signal that varies with the14-day tidal cycle. This artifact does not affect the monthly sea surface temperature data.

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    Speckled Dace (Rhinichthys osculus) are listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as endangered. These fresh water fish, of the family Cyprinidae, are found in Canada only in the Kettle Valley of British Columbia. Proposed critical habitat was based on minimum viable population analysis and assumed densities of fish. From October 19th to the 22nd of 2015, night time pole seining surveys were conducted to enumerate Speckled Dace in proposed critical habitat on the West Kettle River; one of three rivers containing Speckled Dace. The estimated population abundance of Speckled Dace within the survey area was 8,978 (6,143-11,814), however only 1,014 of these are estimated to be adults.

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    Considered the "king" of sea lions, the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) is the biggest of all sea lions and enjoys a lifespan of up to thirty years. In Canada, the Steller can be spotted along the rocky coast of British Columbia. This hefty mammal usually travels alone or in a small group, but wisely, it joins others for protection during the mating and birthing season. Little is known about its oceanic lifestyle; however, the good news for this sea-loving mammal is that since the Steller sea lion first became protected in 1970, the size of the adult population has more than doubled. Recent trends in the abundance of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in British Columbia were assessed based on a series of thirteen province-wide aerial surveys conducted during the breeding season (27-June to 06-July) between 1971 and 2013.

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    PURPOSE: Provide early detection of newly arrived Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and determine the spread, establishment and spatial distribution of existing AIS within marine waters of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL), DFO Gulf Region boundaries (northern and eastern coastal shores of NB, Gulf shore of NS, and PEI shoreline). DESCRIPTION: DFO Science monitors for AIS in the Gulf Region. The data collected from DFO's biofouling monitoring program provides an overview of the distribution and abundance of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in the Gulf Region. This information can be used by the general public, scientists and DFO managers. Monitoring program targeting aquatic invasive species (AIS). Native biofouling species are not included in this dataset. Botrylloides violaceus: Violet tunicate Botryllus schlosseri: Golden star tunicate Ciona intestinalis: Vase tunicate Styela clava: Clubbed tunicate Caprella mutica*: Japanese skeleton shrimp Membranipora membranacea: Coffin box bryozoan Carcinus maenas*: European green crab Codium fragile*: Oyster thief alga *indicates species that are not included as percent cover as they are not accurately captured by the sampling method, but are included as detections. Included here is a dataset of detection and percent cover data of AIS, as well as a monitoring station dataset. Environmental data collected, including from temperature loggers, are stored but not included here. PARAMETERS COLLECTED: Air and water temperature, salinity, depth, dissolved oxygen, weather conditions, list of biofouling AIS, percent cover of AIS on PVC plates. NOTES ON QUALITY CONTROL: Each sample and species is processed and identified in a standardized fashion using standardized DFO Science AIS protocols and taxonomic references. Data is manually entered into DFO Gulf Region's AIS Science biofouling database and randomly verified for accuracy. SAMPLING METHODS: Biofouling monitoring is conducted using PVC collector plates that are deployed in the water column approximately 1 meter below the sea surface in the spring of each year. Biofouling organisms settle on these plates which are collected in the fall of the same year. Abundances of AIS are given as percent plate cover. Physico-chemical data including temperature, conductivity, and depth as well as weather conditions are noted at each geo-referenced biofouling monitoring site during initial deployment and at time of retrieval. All biofouling organisms settled on the underside of the PVC plates are noted and percent cover of each AIS is estimated. USE LIMITATION: To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.

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    Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) are found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. They are found in coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as those of the Baltic and North Seas. In Canada, they may be found off the coastal waters of British Columbia, Nunavut, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Population trends and abundance of harbour seals in British Columbia are assessed based on aerial surveys conducted during 1966-2019. Based on counts conducted in Index Areas distributed throughout the province, the trend observed in the Strait of Georgia appears to be generally indicative of harbour seal populations throughout British Columbia. Total abundance of harbour seals on the B.C. coast in 2008 was estimated to be on the order of about 105,000 (95% confidence interval of 90,900 to 118,900) seals. Total abundance was re-estimated in 2022 (estimate and CI pending completion of CSAS process). Historic reconstructions indicate the population was depleted by a period of commercial harvesting during 1879-1914, and subsequently maintained below natural levels by predator control programs until the early 1960s. Already depleted, the population could not sustain a second period of intense commercial harvesting during 1962-1968 and was further depleted, but now appears to have fully recovered.