Beaufort Sea Benthic Epifauna Trawl Survey Data 2021-2024

Fisheries and Oceans Canada's CBS-MEA program documents epifauna occurrences from 2021 to 2024 in the Canadian Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf. Sampling occurred at 32 stations in 2021, 22 in 2022, 23 in 2023, and 22 in 2024, using benthic beam and otter trawls at depths between 22-655 meters. Specimens were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible and photographed, with data structured in Darwin Core format.

Use Cases

• Analyze species richness and abundance trends across the 99 total sampling stations from 2021-2024.
• Model species distribution and habitat associations using the provided depth range (22-655 m) and geospatial station data.
• Compare epifaunal community composition between sampling years and across the study area's transects.
• Validate taxonomic identifications using the referenced specimen photographs and frozen specimen collections.

Strengths

• Sampling covers 99 distinct station deployments over four consecutive years (2021-2024).
• Data includes detailed sampling methodology (trawl type, bottom-contact time, target speed).
• Specimens are identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible and supported by photographic evidence.

Limitations

• Sample size is limited to specific stations along transects, not a complete census of the region.
• The exact number of occurrence records (rows) and specific data columns are unknown.
• Geographic coverage is restricted to the Canadian Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Beaufort Sea Marine Ecosystem Assessment (CBS-MEA) program.

Collection Method

Sampling via 3m benthic beam trawl and modified Atlantic Western IIA otter trawl along fixed station transects.

Time Range

2021 to 2024

Freshness

Data collection ended in 2024; metadata was last updated in March 2026.

Geography

Canadian Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf, Western Canadian Archipelago.