Pelagic Fish Species Richness in the St. Lawrence Gulf and Estuary

Pelagic fish group richness data from 2014 to 2023, estimated by species count per 10 km x 10 km grid cell. Data originates from annual August and September multidisciplinary surveys conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The surveys aim to monitor biodiversity and the status of marine resources in the region.

Use Cases

• Map species richness across 10 km x 10 km grid cells to identify biodiversity hotspots in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence.
• Analyze temporal trends in pelagic fish group richness from 2014 to 2023 using annual survey data.
• Correlate species richness estimates from grid cells with environmental conditions recorded during the multidisciplinary surveys.

Strengths

• Data spans a 10-year time range from 2014 to 2023, providing a decade of observations.
• Spatial data is structured on a standardized 10 km x 10 km grid for consistent geospatial analysis.
• Data collection follows standardized protocols from annual multidisciplinary surveys described in published scientific documents.

Limitations

• The dataset's sample size (number of rows or grid cells) is unknown, limiting assessment of statistical power.
• Data is limited to pelagic fish groups, excluding other marine species like groundfish or invertebrates.
• Spatial coverage is restricted to the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, not representing other Canadian marine regions.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Collection Method

Annual August and September multidisciplinary surveys using standardized bottom trawl protocols.

Time Range

2014 to 2023

Freshness

Data is updated to 2023, with the record last updated on the platform in March 2026.

Geography

Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada