This layer details Important Areas (IAs) relevant to key invertebrate species (which are not corals or sponges) in the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA). This data was mapped to inform the selection of marine Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSA). Experts have indicated that these areas are relevant based upon their high ranking in one or more of three criteria (Uniqueness, Aggregation and Fitness Consequences). The distribution of IAs within ecoregions is used in the designation of EBSAs. Canada’s Oceans Act provides the legislative framework for an integrated ecosystem approach to management in Canadian oceans, particularly in areas considered ecologically or biologically significant. DFO has developed general guidance for the identification of ecologically or biologically significant areas. The criteria for defining such areas include uniqueness, aggregation, fitness consequences, resilience, and naturalness. This science advisory process identifies proposed EBSAs in Canadian Pacific marine waters, specifically in the Strait of Georgia (SOG), along the west coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI, southern shelf ecoregion), and in the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA, northern shelf ecoregion). Initial assessment of IAs in PNCIMA was carried out in September 2004 to March 2005 with spatial data collection coordinated by Cathryn Clarke. Subsequent efforts in WCVI and SOG were conducted in 2009, and may have used different scientific advisors, temporal extents, data, and assessment methods. WCVI and SOG IA assessment in some cases revisits data collected for PNCIMA, but should be treated as a separate effort. Other datasets in this series detail IAs for birds, cetaceans, coral and sponges, fish, geographic features, and other vertebrates. Though data collection is considered complete, the emergence of significant new data may merit revisiting of IAs on a case by case basis.

This dataset provides 30-year, 50-year, and 100 year return levels for small craft harbours in British Columbia, relative to the mean sea level over 1993-2020. The return levels are derived from coastal sea levels for the period from 1993 to 2020, simulated using a high-resolution Northeast Pacific Ocean Model (NEPOM).

A towfish containing sidescan and video hardware was used to map eelgrass in two shallow northern New Brunswick estuaries. The sidescan and video data were useful in documenting suspected impacts of oyster aquaculture gear and eutrophication on eelgrass. With one boat and a crew of three, the mapping was accomplished at a rate of almost 10 km2 per day. That rate far exceeds what could be accomplished by a SCUBA based survey with the same crew. Moreover, the towfish survey applied with a complementary echosounder survey is potentially a more cost effective mapping method than satellite based remote sensing. Cite this data as: Vandermeulen H. Data of: Bay Scale Assessment of Eelgrass Beds Using Sidescan and Video - Richibucto 2007. Published: October 2017. Coastal Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/ca7af8ba-8810-4de5-aa91-473613b0b38d

EMODnet Chemistry aims to provide access to marine chemistry data sets and derived data products concerning eutrophication, acidity and contaminants. The chemicals chosen reflect importance to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). This aggregated dataset contains all unrestricted EMODnet Chemistry data on Eutrophication and Acidity (14 parameters with quality flag indicators), and covers the Norwegian Sea, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea and Icelandic Waters with 220031 CDI stations. Data were aggregated and quality controlled by 'Institute of Marine Research - Norwegian Marine Data Centre (NMD)'. Regional datasets concerning eutrophication and acidity are automatically harvested and resulting collections are aggregated and quality controlled using ODV Software and following a common methodology for all Sea Regions ( https://doi.org/10.6092/9f75ad8a-ca32-4a72-bf69-167119b2cc12 ). When not present in original data, Water body nitrate plus nitrite was calculated by summing up the Nitrates and Nitrites. Same procedure was applied for Water body dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) which was calculated by summing up the Nitrates, Nitrites and Ammonium. Parameter names are based on P35, EMODnet Chemistry aggregated parameter names vocabulary, which is available at: https://www.bodc.ac.uk/resources/vocabularies/vocabulary_search/P35/ Detailed documentation is available at: https://doi.org/10.6092/ec8207ef-ed81-4ee5-bf48-e26ff16bf02e The aggregated dataset can be downloaded as ODV spreadsheet, which is composed of metadata header followed by tab separated values. This worksheet can be imported to ODV Software for visualisation (More information can be found at: https://www.seadatanet.org/Software/ODV ) The original datasets can be searched and downloaded from EMODnet Chemistry Download Service: https://emodnet-chemistry.maris.nl/search

The data were collected during two research projects: Development of community-based monitoring for aquatic invasive species in the Canadian Arctic - preparing for increased shipping related to resource development and climate change; Diversity of pelagic primary producers in coastal habitats and the potential for harmful blooms in Eastern Canadian Arctic, with a focus near Iqaluit, Nunavut. Funding was provided by Polar Knowledge Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Strategic Program for Ecosystem-based Research and Advice, Aquatic Invasive Species Program and Oceans Ocean Protection Plan) and the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board. These data are the abundance, richness and diversity of dinoflagellate communities in Canadian Arctic seaports to provide baseline data and to verify the presence of potential non-indigenous species and harmful taxa. These data can be used as a reference source for monitoring the introduction of potentially non-native species introduced into Arctic ports where shipping activities are high. SAMPLING Dinoflagellate samples were collected using a 20 μm (30 cm diameter) Nitex® plankton net during August in Churchill (MB) (2007 and 2015), in Deception Bay (QC ) (2016), in Iqaluit (NU) (2015 and 2019) and in Milne Inlet (2017). Samples were collected from 1 m of the surface to 1 m above the bottom. PREPARATION : Samples were stored in 4% formaldehyde. Sample preparation and counting were performed using the Utermöhl method. OBSERVATION : Samples were observed using an inverted microscope (NIKON Eclipse TE-2000-U) under a magnification of 200x. ABUNDANCE : The calculation of the abundance of dinoflagellates (cell / liter) was carried out as follows: Number of cells X Volume of the bottle / Volume of the Utermöhl chamber / (pi X Radius^2 X Depth) X 1000 ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES Environmental data were measured using a CTD and a Secchi disk. The time between sea ice melt and sampling was calculated by subtracting the sampling day from the breakup dates (ice concentration <1/10) which were extracted from the Canadian Ice Service records. For further information, please consult the following paper: Dhifallah F, Rochon A, Simard N, McKindsey CW, Gosselin M, Howland KL. 2022. Dinoflagellate communities in high-risk Canadian Arctic ports. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 266:107731

Mean zooplankton biomass (g/m³) at the 46 stations grouped into Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program (AZMP) transects under Quebec region responsibility. Mean zooplankton wet weights of the last ten years are displayed as 4 layers in june (2013-2022, 2020 not sampled) and 4 layers in november (2013-2022). The 4 layers stand for total zooplankton, mesozooplankton, macrozooplankton and euphausiids. The attached files contain the biomass data: a .png file for each station, showing time series of biomass for the total zooplankton and the euphausiids, and a .csv file containing the data themselves (columns : Station,Date(UTC), Latitude, Longitude, Sounding(m), Depth_max/Profondeur_max(m), Depth_min/Profondeur_min(m), Mesozooplankton/Mésozooplancton(g/m³), Macrozooplankton/Macrozooplancton(g/m³), Zooplankton/Zooplancton(g/m³), Euphausiids/Euphausides(g/m³)). Purpose The Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program (AZMP) was implemented in 1998 with the aim of increasing the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) capacity to detect, track and predict changes in the state and productivity of the marine environment. The AZMP collects data from a network of stations composed of high-frequency monitoring sites and cross-shelf sections in each following DFO region: Québec, Gulf, Maritimes and Newfoundland. The sampling design provides basic information on the natural variability in physical, chemical, and biological properties of the Northwest Atlantic continental shelf. Cross-shelf sections sampling provides detailed geographic information but is limited in a seasonal coverage while critically placed high-frequency monitoring sites complement the geography-based sampling by providing more detailed information on temporal changes in ecosystem properties. In Quebec region, two surveys (46 stations grouped into transects) are conducted every year, one in June and the other in autumn in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Historically, 3 fixed stations were sampled more frequently. One of these is the Rimouski station that still takes part of the program and is sampled about weekly throughout the summer and occasionally in the winter period. Annual reports (physical, biological and a Zonal Scientific Advice) are available from the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS), (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/index-eng.htm). Devine, L., Scarratt, M., Plourde, S., Galbraith, P.S., Michaud, S., and Lehoux, C. 2017. Chemical and Biological Oceanographic Conditions in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence during 2015. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2017/034. v + 48 pp. Supplemental Information Zooplankton is sampled by bottom-surface vertical net tow with a conic 202 µm net and preserved in a 4% solution of buffered formaldehyde according to AZMP sampling protocol: Mitchell, M. R., Harrison, G., Pauley, K., Gagné, A., Maillet, G., and Strain, P. 2002. Atlantic Zonal Monitoring Program sampling protocol. Can. Tech. Rep. Hydrogr. Ocean Sci. 223: iv + 23 pp.

This dataset contains the outputs for Bute Inlet from two simulations shown in the publication "Fjord circulation permits persistent subsurface water mass in a long, deep mid-latitude inlet" by Laura Bianucci et al., DFO Ocean Sciences Division, Pacific Region (published in the journal Ocean Science in 2024). The Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM v4.1) was run with two different sets of initial conditions for the Discovery Islands region of British Columbia, Canada, from May 24 to June 27, 2019. The "Baseline" simulation used observed initial conditions, while the "Sensitivity" simulation removed the observed cold subsurface water mass from the initial profiles. Here in this dataset, we provide 29-day averages of the following variables in a transect along Bute Inlet: potential temperature, density, along-inlet velocity, and Brunt-Väisälä frequency (N^2). The averaging properly removes the tidal effects.

The Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) High Water Mark Lines provide alongshore and across-shore geomorphological and biological attributes of the high water mark shoreline. The lines are used in the CHS nautical charts to represent the level reached by sea water at high tide.

This layer details Important Areas (IAs) relevant to key cetacean species in the West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) ecoregion. This data was mapped to inform the selection of marine Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSA). Experts have indicated that these areas are relevant based upon their high ranking in one or more of three criteria (Uniqueness, Aggregation, and Fitness Consequences). The distribution of IAs within ecoregions is used in the designation of EBSAs. Canada’s Oceans Act provides the legislative framework for an integrated ecosystem approach to management in Canadian oceans, particularly in areas considered ecologically or biologically significant. DFO has developed general guidance for the identification of ecologically or biologically significant areas. The criteria for defining such areas include uniqueness, aggregation, fitness consequences, resilience, and naturalness. This science advisory process identifies proposed EBSAs in Canadian Pacific marine waters, specifically in the Strait of Georgia (SOG), along the west coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI, southern shelf ecoregion), and in the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA, northern shelf ecoregion). Initial assessment of IAs in PNCIMA was carried out in September 2004 to March 2005 with spatial data collection coordinated by Cathryn Clarke. Subsequent efforts in WCVI and SOG were conducted in 2009, and may have used different scientific advisors, temporal extents, data, and assessment methods. WCVI and SOG IA assessment in some cases revisits data collected for PNCIMA, but should be treated as a separate effort. Other datasets in this series detail IAs for birds, coral and sponges, fish, geographic features, invertebrates, and other vertebrates. Though data collection is considered complete, the emergence of significant new data may merit revisiting of IAs on a case by case basis.

The Brier Island/Digby Neck area has been identified as an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA) by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and is one of four marine areas within the Bay of Fundy recognised by Parks Canada as of national significance for marine conservation planning. The area is representative of important outer Bay of Fundy features with significant marine mammal, bird, and benthic diversity including potentially important aggregations of sensitive benthic species such as horse mussel and sponge. Much of the information used for this recognition is now over 40 years old and should be re-validated using standardised georeferenced survey methods. As a first phase, a diver-based survey of the sublittoral habitats and associated species was conducted in August and September of 2017 for the Brier Island area. This report summarises the major sublittoral habitat types, species assemblages, and oceanographic conditions observed at 20 locations including Northwest and Southwest Ledges, Gull Rock, Peter’s Island, and Grand Passage. A total of 962 records were made of 178 taxa, consisting of 43 algae and 135 animals. Comparison with historical records largely confirmed the continued presence of unique habitats and species assemblages for which this area was initially recognised as an EBSA. Differences in species richness observed for cryptic and less known taxonomic groups such as sponges and bryozoans were attributable to changes in survey methods and knowledge. Based on these findings, additional surveys of inshore and offshore Brier Island using more quantitative methods developed for other Bay of Fundy EBSAs would further support regional MPA network planning and provide relative scales of species diversity and habitat coverage for this area.