AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Bay Scale Assessment of Eelgrass Beds Using Sidescan and Video - Tabusintac 2008

The assessment of the status of eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds at the bay-scale in turbid, shallow estuaries is problematic. The bay-scale assessment (i.e., tens of km) of eelgrass beds usually involves remote sensing methods such as aerial photography or satellite imagery. These methods can fail if the water column is turbid, as is the case for many shallow estuaries on Canada’s eastern seaboard. A novel towfish package was developed for the bay-scale assessment of eelgrass beds irrespective of water column turbidity. The towfish consisted of an underwater video camera with scaling lasers, sidescan sonar and a transponder-based positioning system. The towfish was deployed along predetermined transects in three northern New Brunswick estuaries. Maps were created of eelgrass cover and health (epiphyte load) and ancillary bottom features such as benthic algal growth, bacterial mats (Beggiatoa) and oysters. All three estuaries had accumulations of material reminiscent of the oomycete Leptomitus, although it was not positively identified in our study. Tabusintac held the most extensive eelgrass beds of the best health. Cocagne had the lowest scores for eelgrass health, while Bouctouche was slightly better. The towfish method proved to be cost effective and useful for the bay-scale assessment of eelgrass beds to sub-meter precision in real time.

Cite this data as: Vandermeulen H. Data of: Bay Scale Assessment of Eelgrass Beds Using Sidescan and Video -Tabusintac 2008. Published: March 2021. Coastal Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/d1c58bc6-69d4-47b2-bb19-988f88233900

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Likelihood of Presence of American Lobster in Area Response Planning Pilot Areas

The Coastal Oceanography and Ecosystem Research section (DFO Science) reviewed the presence of Lobster in the Population Ecology Division (DFO Science) Ecosystem Survey trawls to describe the likelihood of presence. The survey consists of a stratified random design using a bottom trawl. Lobsters are found in few trawls in the Bay of Fundy and Port Hawkesbury Area Response Plan regions, however Lobsters are landed in nearshore areas. Therefore, lobsters are described as being likely present throughout the ARP. This layer was created for consideration in oil spill response planning.

A version of this dataset was created for the National Environmental Emergency Center (NEEC) following their data model and is available for download in the Resources section.

Cite this data as: Lazin, G., Hamer, A.,Corrigan, S., Bower, B., and Harvey, C. Data of: Likelihood of presence of American Lobster in Area Response Planning pilot areas. Published: June 2018. Coastal Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews, N.B. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/47bf4555-ce3c-492f-a367-a6eab1862970

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Benthic substrates of the Saguenay fjord, the St. Lawrence lower estuary and Gulf

Description of the submarine morphology and characteristics of the sediments (lithology, grain size, mineralogy, and chemistry) of the Saguenay fjord, the lower Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The layer contains a synthesis of geological and geochemical data collected and interpreted over 10 years and is accompanied by detailed bathymetric and surface sediment maps. Most of this study deals with the geomorphology, surface sediments (lithology, mineralogy, and chemistry), and present depositional conditions, but several studies have also been made of the bedrock geology and the stratigraphy of the unconsolidated sediments.

Purpose

These studies are regional and of a reconnaissance nature in the sense that they have been designed to obtain acoustical and sampling data on the morphology and basic properties of the sediments from the whole Gulf. This approach was used to provide a broad appraisal of the sedimentary environment of the Gulf and its late-glacial and postglacial history.

Additional Information

Unknown date of numeric version.

Acoustical and sampling data were obtained in the River and Gulf of St. Lawrence on board of different boats over the years. Sounding lines and sample stations were selected initially on the basis of submarine morphology and later in combination with a preliminary sedimentological map as the sea floor data accumulated.

More specifically, acoustical data on the topography and nature of the sea floor was obtained from echosounding and continuous seismic profiling.  Sounding records were studied, interpreted, and reduced manually in most cases to a scale suitable for plotting and presentation. The information on the continuous seismic records was first interpreted visually and the reduced to constant scale with the aid of a pantograph with independently vertical and horizontal scales.

Also, about 1500 sediments samples have been collected from various parts of the Gulf to obtain a regional coverage of the sedimentary environment in the area. The sediment sample were sorted and split after their water content had been determined. Mineralogical analyses were carried out after separation into a heavy and light fraction. The light minerals were identified by a combined method of staining and the use of immersion liquids. 

For more details on consulted documents and their limit, see the following report:

Loring, D. H., and D. J. G. Nota. 1973. Morphology and sediments of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. 182. 147 p. + 7 charts.

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Coastwide distribution of Dungeness crab

This dataset contains two geotiff layers. The first layer (1) represents the coastwide distribution of Dungeness crab as predicted from a geostatistical model. The model predicts the mean coastwide probability of Dungeness crab detection using trap sampling gear. The second layer (2) represent the uncertainty in those predictions. Detailed descriptions of these data products can be found in Nephin et al. (2023) and the code used to produce them can be found at https://gitlab.com/dfo-msea/dungeness-sdm/.

The objectives of this work was to model the habitat of Dungeness crab (_Metacarcinus magister_), a data-limited coastal marine species, to evaluate the efficacy of data integration when making predictions to geographic areas larger than the area covered by any one data source. In British Columbia, Dungeness crab are sampled regionally and sporadically with a variety of sampling gears and survey protocols, making them an ideal case study to investigate whether the integration of disparate surveys can improve habitat predictions. To that aim, we assemble data from dive, trawl, and baited-trap surveys to generate six candidate generalized linear mixed-effect models with spatial random fields. This dataset contains the mean (1) and difference (2) between the Survey-effect and Gear-effect model predictions.

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Important Areas for Invertebrates in West Coast Vancouver Island Ecoregion

This layer details Important Areas (IAs) relevant to key invertebrate species (which are not corals or sponges) 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, 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.

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Annual multidisciplinary survey for assessing groundfish in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence (MV Lady Hammond 1984 - 1990)

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).

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Salish Sea

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has been conducting surface water trawl surveys since 1992 in the coastal waters of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and Alaska and in the high seas of the Gulf of Alaska. These surveys initially focused on determining the migratory patterns (1992-2002) and on the growth and physiology (2003-2016) of juvenile Pacific Salmon.  Since 2016, these surveys have been broadened to monitor the whole pelagic ecosystem, retaining a focus on juvenile Pacific Salmon.  Data were collected from sites in the inland sea waters of British Columbia and Washington State, USA, that comprise the Strait of Georgia, Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound since 2001 and are ongoing.

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Ocean Salmon Program - Barkley Sound Juvenile Salmon Study from 1987 to 1994

During the period of 1987 to 1994, Robin J. LeBrasseur and N. Brent Hargreaves lead a juvenile salmon predation research project in Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound BC.  This dataset contains the research survey catch data and individual fish examinations data.

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Seasonal oxygen climatology of the Canadian Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone from BCCM model (1993-2020)

Description:
Seasonal mean oxygen concentration from the British Columbia continental margin model (BCCM) were averaged over the 1993 to 2020 period to create seasonal mean climatology of the Canadian Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone.

Methods:
Oxygen concentrations at up to forty-six linearly interpolated vertical levels from surface to 2400 m and at the sea bottom are included. Spring months were defined as April to June, summer months were defined as July to September, fall months were defined as October to December, and winter months were defined as January to March. The data available here contain raster layers of seasonal oxygen concentration climatology for the Canadian Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone at 3 km spatial resolution and 47 vertical levels.

Uncertainties:
Model results have been extensively evaluated against observations (e.g. altimetry, CTD and nutrient profiles, observed geostrophic currents), which showed the model can reproduce with reasonable accuracy the main oceanographic features of the region including salient features of the seasonal cycle and the vertical and cross-shore gradient of water properties. However, the model resolution is too coarse to allow for an adequate representation of inlets, nearshore areas, and the Strait of Georgia.

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Projected extreme sea levels under a high emission scenario SSP585 for harbours in British Columbia

This dataset provides projected 30-year, 50-year, and 100-year return levels for harbours in British Columbia by 2050 and 2100 under a high emission scenario SSP585, relative to the mean sea level over 1993-2020. The return levels are a combination of estimated present extreme sea levels and projected mean sea level rise. The present extreme sea levels are derived from hourly coastal sea levels for the period from 1993 to 2020, simulated using a high-resolution Northeast Pacific Ocean Model (NEPOM). The projected mean sea level rise is derived from the regional mean sea level rise data of the IPCC 6th Assessment Report under SSP585, adjusted for the local vertical land motion.

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Striped Bass Spawner Abundance Estimates in the Northwest Miramichi Estuary

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.

Estimate the abundance of Striped bass spawners in the Northwest Miramichi estuary.

DESCRIPTION:
Spawner abundance estimates of Striped Bass in the Northwest Miramichi estuary based on Catch per unit effort (CPUE) analysis in the commercial gaspereau fishery.

USE LIMITATION:
To ensure scientific integrity and appropriate use of the data, we would encourage you to contact the data custodian.

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Monthly Satellite Sea Surface Temperature Climatology of the Canadian Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone (1990-2020) – 4 km Resolution

Description:
Night-time sea surface temperature (SST) was acquired from the AVHRR Pathfinder project, with data distributed by NOAA, and averaged into monthly climatological composites. The data span 1990 through 2020 at 4 km pixel resolution.

Methods:
AVHRR Pathfinder version 5.3 Level 3C night Sea Surface Temperature (SST) was acquired from NOAA at 4 km spatial resolution. The monthly mean value at all pixels was calculated for individual years, then all years were combined to produce final maps of monthly mean and monthly standard deviation of SST, and the number of occurrences of each pixel over the period of observation. The quality level of all satellite observations was also acquired with this dataset, and used to remove any pixels with a quality level lower than 4. Further, pixels with fewer than two occurrences over the period 1990-2020 were removed from these maps, and set to a NaN value in the tif files. All resulting rasters were cropped to the Canadian Exclusive Economic Zone and assigned to the NAD83 geographic coordinate reference system (EPSG:4269), and have a final pixel resolution of approximately 0.0417 degrees. The monthly mean, monthly standard deviation, and number of occurrences for all pixels are provided.

Uncertainties:
Satellite values have been evaluated against global datasets, and datasets of samples in the Pacific region (see references). However, uncertainties are introduced when averaging together images over time as each pixel has a differing number of observations. Short-lived or spatially limited events may be missed.

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Deep water dissolved oxygen in the Estuary and Gulf of St.Lawrence

Deep water (> 200 m) dissolved oxygen interpolated on a grid cell of 10 km x10 km in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Input data are from the annual August multidisciplinary survey hold in 2014 to 2023.

Purpose

Since 1990, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has been conducting an annual multidisciplinary survey in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence using a standardized protocol. These surveys are an important source of information about the status of the marine ressources. 

The objectives of the survey are multiple: to estimate the abundance and biomass of groundfish and invertebrates, to identify the spatial distribution and biological characteristics of these species, to monitor the biodiversity of the Estuary and the northern Gulf and finally, to describe the environmental conditions observed in August in the sampling area.

Annual reports are available at the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS), (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/index-eng.htm).

Bourdages, H., Brassard, C., Desgagnés, M., Galbraith, P., Gauthier, J., Légaré, B., Nozères, C. and Parent, E. 2017. Preliminary results from the groundfish and shrimp multidisciplinary survey in August 2016 in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2017/002. v + 87 p.

Supplemental Information

The bottom dissolved oxygen is determined from a CTD profile in the water column 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.

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Estimates of shrimp and fish on trawling transects at the seafloor of Bones Bay and Turnour Bay

These data sets provide information pertaining to epifauna taxa including bottom-dwelling shrimp and fish along trawling transects in Bones Bay and Turnour Bay between 2001 and 2002. Data sets were compiled and formatted by Meagan Mak.

Abstract from the report:
This study is a component of a larger project designed to assess potential effects of shrimp trawling gear on epifauna, shrimp, fish, and benthic habitat of Clio Channel located in Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia, Canada. Replicate beam-trawl surveys were carried out on individual transects in both Bones Bay and Turnour Bay located in the northern and southern portions of Clio Channel, respectively. A submersible, towed video-camera surveyed the seabed to enumerate epifauna and fish taxa before and after trawling activities. In regards to the video surveys, fish and epifauna (e.g. common shrimp) were observed across Clio Channel, while sea whips were predominate in the Turnour Bay video transects.

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada
Seasonal current speed climatology of the Canadian Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone from BCCM model (1993-2020)

Description:
Seasonal mean current speed from the British Columbia continental margin model (BCCM) were calculated as the root mean square of the zonal (U) and meridional (V) velocities and averaged over the 1993 to 2020 period to create seasonal mean climatology of the Canadian Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone.

Methods:
Current speeds at up to forty-six linearly interpolated vertical levels from surface to 2400 m and at the sea bottom are included. Spring months were defined as April to June, summer months were defined as July to September, fall months were defined as October to December, and winter months were defined as January to March. The data available here contain raster layers of seasonal current speed climatology for the Canadian Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone at 3 km spatial resolution and 47 vertical levels.

Uncertainties:
Model results have been extensively evaluated against observations (e.g. altimetry, CTD and nutrient profiles, observed geostrophic currents), which showed the model can reproduce with reasonable accuracy the main oceanographic features of the region including salient features of the seasonal cycle and the vertical and cross-shore gradient of water properties. However, the model resolution is too coarse to allow for an adequate representation of inlets, nearshore areas, and the Strait of Georgia.

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada