Arctic Krill Maximum Annual Density in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Arctic krill (T. raschii) maximum annual density data derived from six years of acoustic surveys conducted in August from 2009 to 2014. The dataset is a spatial mosaic created to study the distribution of krill in the northwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence and estuary, with the goal of explaining blue whale foraging patterns. It was produced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Use Cases

• Analyze the spatial association between krill density patches and blue whale distribution in the St. Lawrence Estuary.
• Model krill aggregation dynamics at medium- and small-scales using the maximum annual density mosaic.
• Study interannual variability in Arctic krill density from 2009 to 2014 within the survey area.

Strengths

• Data is derived from six consecutive years of acoustic surveys (2009-2014), providing a multi-year time series.
• Focuses on a specific, ecologically significant region: the northwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence and estuary.
• Explicitly designed to investigate the relationship between krill density and blue whale distribution, offering clear research utility.

Limitations

• Data is limited to maximum annual density values, not a continuous time series of density throughout each year.
• Spatial coverage is restricted to the surveyed area within the Gulf of St. Lawrence and estuary.
• The underlying acoustic survey data and specific density calculation methods are not detailed in the provided description.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Collection Method

Acoustic surveys conducted in August from 2009 to 2014.

Time Range

August surveys from 2009 to 2014.

Freshness

Data was last updated on the platform in March 2026, but the underlying surveys concluded in 2014.

Geography

Northwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence and estuary, Canada.