Annual multidisciplinary survey for assessing groundfish and shrimp in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence (CCGS Cabot 2022 - ongoing)

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).

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada