Atlantic Herring Biological and Catch Records from Newfoundland and Labrador (1974-2023)

A long-term dataset of Atlantic herring biological and catch information collected from 1974 to 2023 in NAFO Divisions 2J3KL, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Samples were obtained from commercial catches and processed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), with each record corresponding to an individual fish.

Use Cases

• Analyze length and weight relationships across different maturity stages and sex categories.
• Model spawning season patterns using date, area, and gonad weight data.
• Assess catch composition and trends over time by gear type and locality.
• Estimate age-length keys to support stock assessment models for Atlantic herring.

Strengths

• Data spans 50 years of continuous collection from 1974 to 2023.
• Records individual fish-level biological measurements and catch details.
• Collected and processed by the authoritative government agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Limitations

• Standardized protocols for measurement have evolved over the decades, potentially introducing non-standardization.
• The dataset is specific to commercial catches in the NL region, limiting applicability to other fisheries or life stages.
• Sample sizes per year, area, or other strata are unknown, which may affect statistical power for some analyses.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Collection Method

Samples obtained from commercial catches and processed by DFO.

Time Range

1974 to 2023

Freshness

Data is current through 2023, with metadata last updated in March 2026.

Geography

NAFO Divisions 2J3KL, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada