Stimpson's Surfclam Concentration Areas in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Polygon data maps known and commercially exploited concentration areas of the Stimpson's surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. The dataset is based on information from exploratory fisheries, scientific surveys, fishermen's logbooks, and commercial fishery data from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. It was compiled for a 2015 research document and is intended for resource protection and management.

Use Cases

• Analyze the spatial distribution of known concentration areas to inform marine spatial planning and habitat protection.
• Cross-reference polygon data with commercial fishery data from purchase receipts and logbooks to study historical fishing pressure.
• Use the mapped areas as a baseline layer for environmental impact assessments in case of incidents like oil spills.
• Integrate the polygon data with scientific survey results to model potential changes in shellfish bed extent over time.

Strengths

• Data is derived from multiple authoritative sources including scientific surveys and official commercial fishery records from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
• The dataset is specifically designed for practical resource management needs, such as responding to environmental incidents.
• Information is consolidated from a defined 2015 research document, providing a clear reference point.

Limitations

• The dataset does not represent the general species distribution and may underestimate concentration areas as sampling focuses on known abundant locations.
• Polygon extents are subject to change due to factors like harvesting and recruitment, and the data is valid only until newer survey results are published.
• The precision is noted as sufficient for management purposes but may not be suitable for highly detailed ecological studies.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), compiled from the research document 'Évaluation des stocks de mactre de Stimpson (Mactromeris polynyma) des eaux côtières du Québec en 2014' (2015).

Collection Method

Mapping based on exploratory fisheries, scientific surveys, fishermen's logbooks, and commercial fishery data (purchase receipts, logbooks, DFO sampling).

Time Range

Historical and current up to the 2014 assessment referenced in the 2015 document.

Freshness

Data is based on a 2015 research document; the platform record was last updated in 2026, but the underlying study data may be older.

Geography

Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, specifically coastal waters of Quebec.