Aerial Survey Observations of Recreational Fishing Boats on British Columbia's South Coast

Aerial surveys from float planes record recreational fishing boat locations and activity types for Fisheries and Oceans Canada's South Coast Creel program. The data, available from 2021, classifies boats as either 'fishing' or 'running' and provides coordinates for observed vessels. Each point may represent one or more boats in an area, with observations collected every 3-7 days during peak fishing seasons.

Use Cases

• Estimate spatial distribution of fishing effort by analyzing boat activity type ('fishing' vs 'running') and recorded coordinates.
• Model seasonal patterns in recreational fishing activity using the temporal cadence of aerial surveys conducted every 3-7 days.
• Assess observer error and data resolution by examining point locations where each point represents one or more boats in an area.
• Support the Creel program's catch and effort estimation by correlating boat sighting coordinates and activity classifications with other fishery data.

Strengths

• Provides geospatial coordinates for boat sightings, enabling map-based analysis of fishing activity.
• Includes a classification system for boat activity ('fishing' or 'running'), adding behavioral context.
• Data collection began in 2021, offering a multi-year record for the South Coast of British Columbia.
• Surveys are conducted every 3-7 days during peak seasons, providing repeated temporal snapshots.

Limitations

• Each observation point may represent one or more boats, limiting precise vessel counts and aggregating location data.
• Data is subject to observer error in both location recording and boat classification.
• Results are not directly comparable across regions or time periods due to variable survey timing and regional activity volumes.
• The data represents a snapshot only during the plane's overflight, not total fishing effort.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Collection Method

Aerial surveys conducted from float planes, with sightings digitized by observers.

Time Range

From 2021 onward, with surveys during peak fishing seasons.

Freshness

Dataset is updated with new aerial survey observations; last metadata update was March 24, 2026.

Geography

South Coast of British Columbia, Canada.