Sponge Fields in the Scotian Shelf: Western IIA Trawl Sample

Polygons on the east coast of Canada identify concentrations of sea pens, gorgonian corals, and sponges. The data was generated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada using kernel density analysis of research vessel survey by-catch data across five biogeographic zones. It includes tow positions for dense aggregations and for captures of vulnerable black coral.

Use Cases

• Identify vulnerable marine habitats based on the polygon aggregations of sea pens and corals.
• Analyze the distribution of specific sponge species like Vazella pourtalesi based on the described unique population.
• Assess fishing pressure impacts on long-lived, non-aggregating taxa like black coral based on provided tow positions.
• Map benthic biodiversity hotspots across biogeographic zones based on the kernel density analysis results.

Strengths

• Data is derived from spatial analysis of research vessel survey by-catch data.
• Analyses were performed for each of the five biogeographic zones of eastern Canada.
• Polygons are defined using a 2 kg minimum catch weight threshold for sponge grounds.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Collection Method

Kernel density analysis of research vessel survey by-catch data, following an approach used by NAFO.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-08 08:01:29.990637; freshness should be verified.

Geography

East coast of Canada, specifically the Scotian Shelf biogeographic zone and other zones including Laurentian Channel, Eastern Arctic, and northern Labrador slope.