Central Arctic Multi-Species Fisheries Survey Data

1999 to present surveys of fish and shrimp stocks in seven study areas of the Canadian Central and Arctic region. The data is collected by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) using stratified random trawl surveys from the research vessel Paamiut. This specific OBIS version includes data from a 2007 survey of SFA3 and RISA areas.

Use Cases

• Model shrimp species distribution across 100-800m depth strata using trawl catch data and environmental variables like temperature and salinity.
• Analyze Greenland halibut population trends in waters from 400-1500m depth based on survey catch-per-unit-effort metrics.
• Study the effects of tide and current on survey results using experimental data collected in the RISA area southwest of Resolution Island.
• Examine biological parameters like fecundity and stomach contents for Pandalid shrimp species recorded during the surveys.

Strengths

• Long-term survey program with data collection starting in 1999 and planned to continue indefinitely.
• Surveys collect detailed environmental data including temperature, salinity, depth, and monitored trawl geometry (door spread, net height).
• Spatially extensive coverage across seven defined study areas in the Central and Arctic region.

Limitations

• The specific study area surveyed varies from year to year, creating potential gaps in annual spatial coverage.
• Sample data and column details are unavailable, limiting immediate understanding of the data structure.
• The most recent update for this OBIS version is from 2007, making it temporally stale for current analysis.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Central and Arctic Region, via OBIS Canada.

Collection Method

Stratified random trawl surveys using Alfredo or Cosmos shrimp trawls, with environmental data collected via CTD and other oceanographic equipment.

Time Range

1999 to present (this version: 2007 survey).

Freshness

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Geography

Seven study areas in Canadian Central and Arctic waters, including NAFO divisions, SFAs, and western Hudson Strait.