Invasive Aquatic Fauna Observations in Quebec

Observations of exotic and invasive fish and invertebrates in Quebec, compiled by the Ministry of Environment as of June 2025. Data originates from scientific sampling, citizen reports via tools like Sentinelle and iNaturalist, and commercial fishing catches.

Use Cases

• Map species observation coordinates to identify high-risk invasion zones for targeted control actions.
• Analyze observation sources (e.g., citizen reports, scientific sampling) to evaluate public engagement and monitoring program effectiveness.
• Cross-reference reported species with expert-validated photographic records to assess data verification rates.

Strengths

• Data includes expert-validated observations from photographic evidence.
• Aggregates reports from multiple sources including government science, citizen science, and commercial fishing networks.
• Covers the entire territory of Quebec.

Limitations

• Data is not exhaustive; absence of records in an area does not confirm absence of invasive species.
• Not all observations have undergone field validation by the Ministry, introducing potential verification gaps.
• Observations may have been altered post-integration due to control actions, affecting historical accuracy.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) of Quebec.

Collection Method

Compiled from scientific sampling, direct citizen reports via customer service and tools (Sentinelle, iNaturalist), and accidental catches by commercial fishermen in the Saint Lawrence Network.

Time Range

Records known as of June 2025.

Freshness

Updated as of June 2025, with a last platform update in March 2026.

Geography

Quebec, Canada.