Small Gorgonian Coral Fields in the Eastern Arctic from Campelen Trawl Surveys

Eastern Canada's marine ecosystems contain concentrations of sea pens, gorgonian corals, and sponges identified through spatial analysis of research vessel by-catch data. The dataset specifically delineates small gorgonian coral fields in the Eastern Arctic biogeographic zone, based on a 0.05 kg catch threshold from Campelen trawl surveys. It was produced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and last updated on 2026-05-08.

Use Cases

• Mapping vulnerable marine ecosystem habitats based on identified coral and sponge aggregations.
• Assessing fishing pressure impacts on long-lived, non-aggregating taxa like black coral using provided tow positions.
• Comparing species distribution patterns across the five biogeographic zones of eastern Canada mentioned in the description.
• Informing marine spatial planning and conservation area design based on kernel density analysis of high-concentration areas.

Strengths

• Data is derived from a defined methodological approach using kernel density analysis and catch weight thresholds, as described.
• Spatial coverage includes five distinct biogeographic zones of eastern Canada, providing regional context.
• Includes data for both aggregating (e.g., coral fields) and non-aggregating (e.g., black coral) vulnerable taxa.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic and methodological bias inherent to research vessel trawl surveys from the open_canada platform.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Collection Method

Spatial analysis of research vessel survey by-catch data using kernel density and catch weight thresholds, following a NAFO approach.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-08 08:01:11.000817; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Eastern Arctic biogeographic zone and broader eastern Canada marine regions.