Important Fish Areas in West Coast Vancouver Island Ecoregion

Fisheries and Oceans Canada details Important Areas for key fish species in the West Coast Vancouver Island ecoregion. The data, used to inform the selection of marine Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas, was mapped based on expert rankings of Uniqueness, Aggregation, and Fitness Consequences criteria. Initial assessments occurred from 2004-2005, with subsequent efforts in 2009.

Use Cases

• Map Important Areas for fish based on Uniqueness, Aggregation, and Fitness Consequences criteria to support EBSA designation.
• Analyze the spatial distribution of Important Areas within the West Coast Vancouver Island ecoregion for conservation planning.
• Compare fish habitat data from the 2009 WCVI assessment with earlier 2004-2005 PNCIMA data to identify temporal changes.

Strengths

• Data originates from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the authoritative government agency for marine management.
• Assessment is based on explicit scientific criteria: Uniqueness, Aggregation, and Fitness Consequences.
• Part of a broader series covering IAs for birds, cetaceans, coral and sponges, and other taxonomic groups.

Limitations

• The dataset is part of a series where assessment methods and scientific advisors may have differed between the 2004-2005 and 2009 efforts.
• Data collection is considered complete, but the description notes it may become outdated if significant new data emerges.
• Specific sample size, row count, and column details are unavailable, limiting precise analytical scope.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Collection Method

Expert-based spatial data collection and assessment mapping key fish species habitats against criteria for Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas.

Time Range

Assessments conducted from September 2004 to March 2005 (PNCIMA) and in 2009 (WCVI and SOG).

Freshness

Last updated in March 2026, though the underlying scientific assessments are from 2009 or earlier.

Geography

West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) ecoregion, part of Canadian Pacific marine waters.