Lobster Harvest Proxy Mapping for Newfoundland and Labrador 2012-2021

Newfoundland and Labrador inshore lobster commercial fishing data from 2012 to 2021, with catch records associated to 10km² hexagon grid cells. The dataset provides a proxy estimation of lobster harvesting patterns using weighted variables like habitat and home port distance. It is derived from commercial landings data and created by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Use Cases

• Analyze spatial patterns of lobster harvest weight aggregated by 10km² hexagon cells across the region.
• Model the influence of weighted proxy variables like habitat, accessibility, and traditional ecological knowledge on catch distribution.
• Assess temporal trends in commercial lobster landings from 2012 to 2021 for fisheries management planning.
• Identify potential data gaps by comparing proxy-modeled harvest areas with regions known for high wharf sales.

Strengths

• Covers a 10-year time range from 2012 to 2021 for longitudinal analysis.
• Spatial data is structured using a consistent 10km² hexagon grid system.
• Derived from official commercial landings data provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
• Explicitly documents the proxy methodology and its inherent limitations for transparency.

Limitations

• Contains zero georeferenced inshore lobster catch records, relying entirely on proxy modeling.
• Under-represents areas with high wharf or cash sales, as these are not captured in official landings data.
• The proxy model's accuracy is dependent on the quality and weighting of input variables like human use and traditional knowledge.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Collection Method

Proxy mapping tool associates commercial lobster records with the most likely 10km² hexagon based on weighted variables (human use, habitat, accessibility, etc.). Derived from official landings data.

Time Range

2012 - 2021

Freshness

null

Geography

Newfoundland and Labrador region, Canada