Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence Sentinel Fisheries Survey Data

Fisheries and Oceans Canada's mobile gear sentinel fisheries program has collected data since 1994 through collaboration with commercial fishermen's associations. The program follows a stratified random survey plan in NAFO divisions 3Pn, 4R, 4S, and northern 4T, using standardized 30-minute trawl tows. Data is organized into four project series (summer, fall, winter, CRP) and four file types covering set metadata, species catches, biological measurements, and length frequencies.

Use Cases

• Calculate abundance indices for cod, Greenland halibut, Atlantic halibut, and rockfish stocks using catch data from the Catches file.
• Analyze biological trends by examining individual length, weight, sex, and maturity data recorded in the Carbio file.
• Study fish stock mixing in winter or reproductive potential in the CRP series using the stratified survey data across NAFO divisions.
• Standardize catch comparisons by applying the program's protocols for tow duration, speed, and gear specifications.

Strengths

• Long-term data collection spanning from 1994, with specific series like the fall series covering 1995 to 2002.
• Stratified random survey design according to depth strata, NAFO divisions, and substrate type for representative sampling.
• Data is divided into four structured files (Metadata, Catches, Carbio, Freql) for organized analysis.

Limitations

• Only fishing traits deemed successful have been retained in the dataset, potentially introducing selection bias.
• Historical data may contain inaccuracies as noted in the source description.
• The most recent survey data is not available for validation purposes.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) in collaboration with Quebec and Newfoundland commercial fishermen's associations.

Collection Method

Data collected by observers or technicians during standardized 30-minute trawl tows conducted by contracted fishermen's associations following scientific protocols.

Time Range

Program in place since fall 1994, with specific series like the fall series from 1995 to 2002.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-24, though update frequency is unspecified.

Geography

Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence in NAFO sub-division 3Pn and divisions 4R, 4S, and the northern part of division 4T.