Pelagic Fish Biomass in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf 2014-2023

Fisheries and Oceans Canada provides mean pelagic fish total biomass data from 2014 to 2023 for the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. The data aggregates fish biomass from annual multidisciplinary surveys, averaged within 10 km x 10 km grid cells. Separate survey layers are presented due to non-comparable fishing gear between northern and southern surveys.

Use Cases

• Analyze spatial distribution patterns of total biomass across 10 km grid cells to identify high-density fishing zones.
• Compare biomass trends from the August (north) and September (south) survey layers to assess seasonal or regional differences.
• Model the relationship between biomass data and environmental conditions monitored during the multidisciplinary surveys.
• Support fisheries management decisions by tracking changes in pelagic fish biomass over the 10-year period from 2014 to 2023.

Strengths

• Data covers a consistent 10-year time series from 2014 to 2023.
• Spatial data is aggregated to a standardized 10 km x 10 km grid resolution.
• Derived from long-term, standardized survey protocols established in 1990 (north) and 1971 (south).

Limitations

• Total biomass values are not directly comparable between the northern and southern survey layers due to different fishing gears.
• Sample data and specific column definitions are unavailable for detailed inspection.
• The dataset's size, row count, and specific variables beyond biomass are unknown.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Collection Method

Data obtained from annual August (north) and September (south) multidisciplinary bottom trawl surveys, with biomass summed per tow and averaged per grid cell.

Time Range

2014 to 2023

Freshness

Data is updated through 2023, with a platform record last updated in March 2026.

Geography

Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada