Groundfish Hard Bottom Longline Surveys
Catch, effort, location (latitude, longitude), and associated biological data from groundfish multi-species longline surveys in British Columbia.
Introduction
This is a set of long-term and coordinated surveys that together cover most of the nearshore, hard-bottom habitat of coastal British Columbia. The objective of these surveys is to provide fishery-independent abundance indices and associated biological data for the assessment of nearshore rockfishes and other groundfish species that live on untrawlable, hard bottom habitats. The surveys use standardized “snap and swivel” longline hook gear set on the ocean floor. The surveys follow a random depth-stratified design and the sampling units are 2 km by 2 km blocks.
The Inside Hard Bottom Longline (HBLL) Surveys are conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and take place on the Canadian Coast Guard Research Vessel Neocaligus. The Inside surveys cover the inlets and protected waters east of Vancouver Island (Pacific Fishery Management areas 12 – 20 and 27- 29). The survey area is divided into a northern and southern region, which are surveyed in alternating years. The Inside North region includes Johnstone Strait and Broughton Archipelago. The Inside South region includes Desolation Sound, the Strait of Georgia and southern Gulf Islands. The Inside HBLL surveys use size 13/0 circle hooks, baited with frozen squid.
The Outside HBLL Surveys are conducted by DFO in collaboration with the Pacific Halibut Management Association (PHMA) and take place on several chartered commercial fishing vessels each year. The Outside surveys cover most of the British Columbia coastline, excluding the inlets and protected waters east of Vancouver Island (i.e. excluding Pacific Fishery Management areas 12 – 20 and 27- 29). The survey area is divided into a northern and southern region, which are surveyed in alternating years. The Outside North region includes the mainland coast north of Milbanke Sound, Dixon Entrance, and the east and west coasts of Haida Gwaii. The Outside South region includes the mainland coast south of Milbanke Sound, Queen Charlotte Sound, and the north and west coasts of Vancouver Island. The PHMA provides the chartered commercial fishing vessels and field technicians, while DFO provides support for running the surveys, including survey design and equipment. The Outside HBLL surveys use size 14/0 circle hooks, baited with frozen squid.
- Publisher - Current Organization Name: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
- Licence: Open Government Licence - Canada
Data and Resources
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Data DictionaryHTMLEnglish French guide HTML
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Reference InformationHTMLEnglish French guide HTML
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Inside North Hard Bottom Longline SurveysHTMLEnglish French guide HTML
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Inside South Hard Bottom Longline SurveysHTMLEnglish French guide HTML
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Outside North Hard Bottom Longline SurveysHTMLEnglish French guide HTML
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Outside South Hard Bottom Longline SurveysHTMLEnglish French guide HTML
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Survey SummariesHTMLEnglish French guide HTML
Contact Information
Delivery Point: Pacific Biological Station, 3190 Hammond Bay Road
City: Nanaimo
Administrative Area: British Columbia
Postal Code: V9T 6N7
Country: Canada
Electronic Mail Address: Shelee.Hamilton@dfo-mpo.gc.ca