Smooth Skate Catch Weight Distribution in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Spatial distribution data of Smooth Skate presence expressed as catch weight per nautical mile, aggregated into 100 km² cells. The data is derived from annual Department of Fisheries and Oceans groundfish research surveys conducted between 2004 and 2010. It supports analysis of marine resource status and biodiversity in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Use Cases

• Map the spatial distribution of Smooth Skate catch weight per nautical mile across 100 km² grid cells to identify high-density habitats.
• Analyze temporal trends in catch weight data from 2004 to 2010 to assess changes in Smooth Skate abundance in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
• Correlate aggregated catch weight with seabed classifications from associated technical reports to model species-habitat relationships.
• Use the geospatial data in SHP or ESRI REST format to integrate catch weight metrics into broader marine ecosystem GIS analyses.

Strengths

• Data is derived from standardized annual DFO groundfish surveys, a long-term monitoring program initiated in 1971 for the southern Gulf.
• Catch data is aggregated into a consistent spatial unit of 100 km² cells, facilitating grid-based analysis.
• The dataset is linked to specific, peer-reviewed scientific publications detailing the methodology and analysis.

Limitations

• The temporal coverage is limited to a 7-year period (2004-2010), which may not reflect current population dynamics.
• Sample data and specific column definitions (e.g., exact metrics per cell) are unavailable for review, limiting initial assessment.
• Data aggregation into 100 km² cells may obscure finer-scale spatial patterns of skate distribution.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, derived from their annual multidisciplinary groundfish research surveys.

Collection Method

Standardized bottom trawl surveys with catch weight (kg/nautical mile) measured and aggregated by 100 km² cells.

Time Range

2004 to 2010

Freshness

The underlying survey data covers 2004-2010; the dataset record itself was last updated in March 2026.

Geography

Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada