Common Softshell Clam Catches in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf (1994, 2004-2010)

1994 and 2004-2010 data from the Quebec DFO's commercial catches sampling program for the common softshell clam (Mya arenaria). The dataset includes metadata, sample weight, shell width, and the number of specimens measured to support population assessments. It offers a relatively large spatio-temporal coverage of catches from the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Use Cases

• Analyze shell width distributions across fishing areas and years to study growth patterns and population structure.
• Model sample weight against the number of specimens measured to estimate average individual biomass for stock assessments.
• Assess temporal trends in catch demographics using the metadata and measurement data from the 1994 and 2004-2010 periods.

Strengths

• Covers a multi-year time range from 1994 and 2004-2010, providing longitudinal data.
• Includes specific biological measurements like shell width and sample weight, essential for demographic analysis.
• Collected by specialized DFO staff as part of a formal commercial catches sampling program.

Limitations

• Data has been simplified and some entries excluded to protect confidentiality, potentially reducing completeness.
• Specific row count and column details are unknown, limiting precise assessment of dataset scale and features.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Quebec region).

Collection Method

Sampling of commercial catches at wharf or at sea by DFO staff.

Time Range

1994 and 2004-2010.

Freshness

Last updated metadata indicates 2026-03-24, but the core data covers periods ending in 2010.

Geography

Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada.