Aquatic Invasive Species Biofouling Monitoring in Gulf of St. Lawrence

Fisheries and Oceans Canada monitors nine Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence using PVC collector plates. The dataset includes species detection and percent cover data for biofouling organisms, collected annually from spring to fall deployments. Data is processed using standardized DFO Science AIS protocols and taxonomic references.

Use Cases

• Analyze percent cover of AIS like Botrylloides violaceus or Ciona intestinalis on PVC plates to track spatial distribution and establishment success.
• Model the relationship between species detections, such as Carcinus maenas or Caprella mutica, and environmental parameters like water temperature and salinity.
• Identify temporal trends in AIS abundance using annual monitoring data from standardized spring deployment and fall retrieval cycles.
• Compare detection rates for species like Juxtacribrilina mutabilis, integrated into the protocol in 2025, against earlier established species to assess monitoring effectiveness.

Strengths

• Data collection follows standardized DFO Science AIS protocols and taxonomic references for consistent species identification.
• Monitoring targets nine specific Aquatic Invasive Species, including tunicates, shrimp, crabs, and algae, with clear definitions provided.
• Data undergoes manual entry and random verification for accuracy within the DFO Gulf Region's AIS Science biofouling database.

Limitations

• Percent cover data is not available for all nine target species; some, like Caprella mutica and Carcinus maenas, are only recorded as detections.
• Environmental data collected (e.g., temperature, salinity) is stored but not included in the published dataset, limiting correlative analysis.
• The dataset explicitly excludes native biofouling species, focusing solely on invasive species.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Collection Method

Biofouling monitoring using PVC collector plates deployed approximately 1 meter below the sea surface in spring and retrieved in fall. Physico-chemical data and weather conditions are noted at geo-referenced sites during deployment and retrieval.

Time Range

Annual monitoring, with deployments starting in spring and retrievals in fall. Data for the species Juxtacribrilina mutabilis is fully integrated starting in 2025.

Freshness

Data was last updated on the platform in March 2026.

Geography

Marine waters of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL) within DFO Gulf Region boundaries, covering northern and eastern coastal shores of New Brunswick, the Gulf shore of Nova Scotia, and the Prince Edward Island shoreline.