Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Research Document 2022/011 Quebec Region March 2022 Preliminary results from the ecosystemic survey in August 2021 in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence Hugo Bourdages, Claude Brassard, Jean-Martin Chamberland, Mathieu Desgagnés, Peter Galbraith, Laurie Isabel and Caroline Senay Fisheries and Oceans Canada Maurice Lamontagne Institute 850 Route de la Mer Mont-Joli, Quebec G5H 3Z4 Foreword This series documents the scientific basis for the evaluation of aquatic resources and ecosystems in Canada. As such, it addresses the issues of the day in the time frames required and the documents it contains are not intended as definitive statements on the subjects addressed but rather as progress reports on ongoing investigations. Published by: Fisheries and Oceans Canada Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat 200 Kent Street Ottawa ON K1A 0E6 http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/ csas-sccs@dfo-mpo.gc.ca © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2022 ISSN 1919-5044 ISBN 978-0-660-42465-1 Cat. No. Fs70-5/2022-011E-PDF Correct citation for this publication: Bourdages, H., Brassard, C., Chamberland, J.-M., Desgagnés, M., Galbraith, P., Isabel, L. and Senay, C. 2022. Preliminary results from the ecosystemic survey in August 2021 in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2022/011. iv + 95 p. Aussi disponible en français : Bourdages, H., Brassard, C., Chamberland, J.-M., Desgagnés, M., Galbraith, P., Isabel, L. et Senay, C. 2022. Résultats préliminaires du relevé écosystémique d’août 2021 dans l’estuaire et le nord du golfe du Saint-Laurent. Secr. can. des avis sci. du MPO. Doc. de rech. 2022/011. iv + 96 p. http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/ mailto:csas-sccs@dfo-mpo.gc.ca iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. iv INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 SURVEY DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................................. 1 DATA ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................................... 3 RESULTS ..................................................................................................................................... 4 BIODIVERSITY ......................................................................................................................... 4 Fish ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Invertebrates ......................................................................................................................... 6 PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS ........................................................................ 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................. 7 REFERENCES CITED .................................................................................................................. 8 TABLES ........................................................................................................................................ 9 FIGURES .................................................................................................................................... 22 APPENDIX .................................................................................................................................. 95 iv ABSTRACT Fisheries and Oceans Canada conducts an annual multidisciplinary survey in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The objectives of this survey are varied; assess the biodiversity of species found near the bottom; estimate the abundance of groundfish and invertebrates; assess physical and biological (phytoplankton and zooplankton) oceanographic conditions; monitor the pelagic ecosystem; and collect samples for various research projects. In 2021, the survey was conducted between July 25 and August 26 on board the CCGS Teleost. The survey successfully carried out 149 trawl tows as well as 74 CTD water column casts, and 57 zooplankton samples. This report presents the results of the 149 tows. In total, 82 fish taxa and 214 invertebrate taxa were identified during the mission. Historical perspectives (catch rates, spatial distribution and length frequency) are presented for 25 taxa. These commercial fishery-independent data will be used in several stock assessments including cod (Gadus morhua), redfish (Sebastes spp.), Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides), Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) and northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis). A preliminary analysis of water temperature data collected in 2021 shows that conditions have warmed at 150 m and deeper, reaching new records since 1915 at 150, 200 and 300 m. The August cold intermediate layer (CIL) minimum temperature was much warmer in 2021 than in 2020, reaching the highest values of the modern CTD era. Surface waters temperatures were near normal in July-August. 1 INTRODUCTION Fisheries and Oceans Canada conducts an annual bottom trawl survey in the Estuary and the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. This is a multi-species, commercial fishery-independent survey. Its purpose is to assess the ecosystem with consistent and standardized protocols. This survey examines, among other things, spatial and temporal changes in the distribution and relative abundance of fish and their assemblages. It also aims to gather information on the biological parameters of commercial species. The main objectives are to: 1. assess groundfish and Northern Shrimp population abundance and condition; 2. assess environmental conditions; 3. conduct a biodiversity inventory of benthic and demersal megafauna; 4. assess phytoplankton and mesozooplankton abundance; 5. monitor the pelagic ecosystem; 6. conduct an inventory of marine mammals (cancelled in 2020 and 2021); 7. conduct an inventory of seabirds (cancelled in 2019, 2020 and 2021); 8. collect samples for various research projects. In 2021, the survey was conducted between July 25 and August 26 onboard the CCGS Teleost (mission IML-2021-030). This mission took place in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sanitary measures had to be put in place so that the mission could be carried out. The science crew was reduced from 15 to 11 scientists. Observers for marine mammals and seabirds did not participate in the survey, so the inventorying objectives for these species could not be achieved. The number of scientists on each fishing team was reduced from 5 to 4 people. This reduction resulted in a review of the fish and invertebrate sampling protocols. Finally, the shrimp samples were not measured during the mission but were transported to the laboratory and analyzed in the fall. SURVEY DESCRIPTION The survey covers the waters of the Laurentian Channel and north of it, from the Lower Estuary in the west to the Strait of Belle Isle and the Cabot Strait in the east, namely, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) divisions 4R, 4S and the northern part of 4T (Figure 1). Since 2008, the coverage of division 4T has been increased in the upstream part of the Lower Estuary in order to sample the depths between 37 and 183 m. The study area is 118 587 km2. A stratified random sampling strategy was used for this survey. This technique consists in subdividing the study area into homogeneous strata. The area was divided into 54 strata, which were divided based on depth, NAFO division and substrate type (Figure 2). An initial allocation of 200 trawl stations was distributed in the study area proportionally to the stratum surface, with a minimum of two stations per stratum. The tow positions were chosen randomly within each stratum. Since 2014, a new rule was added so as to respect a minimum distance of 10 km between stations in the same stratum. The fishing gear used on the CCGS Teleost is a four-sided Campelen 1800 shrimp trawl equipped with a Rockhopper footgear (“bicycle”) (McCallum and Walsh 2002). The trawl lengthening and codend are equipped with a 12.7-mm knotless nylon lining. Standard trawling tows last 15 minutes, starting from the time the trawl touches the sea floor as determined by the 2 ScanmarTM hydroacoustic system. Towing speed is 3 knots. Information on trawl geometry (horizontal spread of the doors and wings, vertical opening of the trawl, depth) was recorded for each tow using ScanmarTM hydroacoustic sensors mounted on the fishing gear. In 2021, 149 fishing stations were successfully completed (41 in 4R, 69 in 4S and 39 in 4T), which represent 40 stations less than what has been achieved on average since 1990 (Table 1). The decrease in the number of stations completed is due to the fact that the ship had to go to the wharf three times for medical or mechanical reasons. A lot of effort was expended to cover the entire study area. Six strata were not sampled with a minimum of two stations, two of which were not visited (Figure 3, Table 1). These partially or uncovered strata were distributed throughout the study area and not located in a particular sector. For each fishing tow, the catch was sorted and weighed by taxa; biological data were then collected on a sub-sample. For fish, crab and squid, size and weight were gathered by individual. For some species, sex, maturity, and the weight of certain organs (stomach, liver, gonads) were also evaluated. Count of soft rays of the anal fin for redfish was conducted to separate the two species. Cod, Atlantic halibut and witch flounder otoliths were saved to determine age of fish. A sample of approximately 2 kg of shrimp was frozen for laboratory analysis at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute, where the sample was later sorted and weighed by species and by maturity stage for the northern shrimp. The shrimps were measured individually. The other invertebrates were counted (no individual measurements) and photographed. The photos are archived in a photo catalogue with associated keywords (taxonomic identification, station description, date, etc.). Since 2001, digital photos have supported an increased effort in the identification of species. These additional efforts have targeted fish since 2004 (Dutil et al. 2009) and invertebrates since 2005 (Nozères et al. 2014). An identification guide for marine fishes in the estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Nozères et al. 2010), a shrimp atlas (Savard and Nozères 2012) and a guide for invertebrates (Nozères and Archambault 2014) were used during the mission to identify most taxa. The taxon codes and their names follow the list of Miller and Chabot (2014), with annual updates according to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). Additional samples were taken for various scientific projects: 1. Water samples for genetic analysis of environmental DNA; 2. Samples of herring, capelin and mackerel for maturity determination; 3. Beluga and marine mammal preys (several fish species and northern shrimp) in order to follow the evolution of isotopic signatures of key species in the St. Lawrence ecosystem; 4. Stomachs of several fish species in order to describe their diet; 5. Samples of small demersal fish; 6. Rays and dogfish specimens for structural development studies, including inference of age from vertebrae and other structures (spines, etc); 7. Blood samples from Atlantic halibut and Greenland halibut to characterize the ecosystem health from molecular markers; 8. Small redfish (<11 cm) for genetic identification of the species (Sebastes fasciatus and S. mentella) and the population of new cohorts observed in the Gulf; 9. Monitoring redfish growth from the 2011 cohort; 10. Redfish samples to study the aging process, health and stress management in aquatic ectotherms; http://www.marinespecies.org/ 3 11. Atlantic halibut and Greenland halibut gonad samples to determine the maturity stage; 12. Squid samples to study its trophic role in the ecosystem; 13. Sponges (Porifera) to identify the different species present. Oceanographic conditions such as temperature, conductivity (salinity), turbidity, dissolved oxygen, luminosity and fluorescence were sampled during this survey. A total of 62 vertical profiles of the water column were done at the fishing stations and 12 more on extra stations that fall under the Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program (AZMP). The various sampling devices, CTD SeaBird 911PlusTM, dissolved oxygen sensor (SBE 43), photometer (Biospherical) and fluorometer (Eco-FLNTU Wetlabs) were coupled to a rosette of Niskin bottles. For each profile obtained using the rosette, water samples were also taken at several depths to determine their salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen concentration (Winkler titration), nutritive salt content (nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, silicate) and chlorophyll content. In addition, a CTD SBE 19PlusTM device (temperature and salinity), coupled to a dissolved oxygen sensor (SBE 63), was also installed on the back of the trawl, thereby allowing oceanographic data to be collected for the 149 fishing tows. In order to study the distribution and biomass of zooplankton in the study area, a component of the sampling program consisted of harvesting organisms using a zooplankton net (202 µm) towed vertically from the sea floor to the surface at 57 stations. Hydroacoustic data for the water column were continuously recorded at four frequencies (38, 70, 120 and 200 kHz) using a SIMRADTM EK60 echosounder during the entirety of the mission. These data will be used to develop a three-dimensional database to map the pelagic ecosystem. DATA ANALYSIS The analysis of 2021 abundance and biomass data was integrated into the combined annual summer survey series initiated in 1990. These combined series were developed following a comparative study between the two vessel-gear tandems (1990–2005: CCGS Alfred Needler— URI 81′/114′ trawl; 2004–2021: CCGS Teleost—Campelen 1800 trawl) to establish specific correction factors for about twenty captured species (Bourdages et al. 2007). Results from this study led to the adjustment of Needler catches in Teleost equivalent catches. The annual catch rate indexes, in terms of mean number and weight per standardized tow (15 minutes tow, i.e. a swept area of 0.75 nautical miles with an average wingspread of 16.94 m), and their confidence interval were estimated using the standard estimators for stratified random sampling (Appendix). Given that over the years, some strata were not sampled by a minimum of two successful tows (Table 1), a multiplicative model of the form: log(catch rate + 0.01) ~ stratum + year, was used to estimate their catch rate indexes. This model provided a predicted value for strata with less than two tows based on the data of the current year and the previous three years, or from the current year and the three adjacent years for missing strata in the first three years of the series. Thus, indicators presented for the series are representative of a standard total area of 116 115 km2, the sum of the area of all strata. In addition, reference points were also added to the catch rate figures. The solid line represents the 1990–2020 period average (long-term average). The two dotted lines represent the long term mean ±0.5 standard deviation and correspond to the upper and lower reference limits respectively. https://ogsl.ca/en/atlantic-zone-monitoring-program-context/ 4 Note that the distinction between the two redfish species, S. fasciatus and S. mentella, is based on the analysis of the soft anal fin rays count and the depth of capture of individuals (Senay et al. 2021). Length frequency distributions are presented in two different formats. A first figure shows the distribution for the last two years of the series plus the average distribution for the 1990–2020 period (long-term average distribution). Frequency values are expressed as the average number of individuals caught per tow in 1 cm increments, except for the northern shrimp (0.5 mm) and Atlantic halibut (3 cm). The second figure represents the length frequency distributions as mean number per length class for each year of the historical surveys series (1990 to 2021). The geographical distribution of catch rates (CPUE), presented as weight (kg) per 15 minute tow for all species (except sea pens: number of specimens/15 minute tow) was aggregated for periods of five or six years. The interpolation of CPUE (catch per unit of effort) was performed on a grid covering the study area using a ponderation inversely proportional to the distance (R version 2.13.0, Rgeos library; R Development Core Team 2011). The isoline contours were then plotted for four CPUE levels which approximate the 20th, 40th, 60th and 80th percentiles of the non-zero values. The catch rate distribution for the 2021 survey is also presented in a bubble map. The preliminary results for the abundance and biomass indices, the catch rate distribution maps, and the size frequency distributions for 25 taxa are presented in figures 5 to 62. These results are preliminary and must be considered as such until validations and laboratory analyses have been completed. The distribution of total species richness and of 3 taxonomic groupings are presented in figures 63 to 66. Species richness is expressed as the number of species collected, total or per grouping, at each station in 2021. Taxonomic groupings were created to observe more specifically the distribution of species richness for species with similar ecological characteristics: fishes, shrimps and invertebrates (excluding shrimps). The average weight per tow for 57 fish taxa and 99 invertebrate taxa is given in figures 67 and 68. In these figures, a color code is used to represent the difference between the CPUE in a given year and the average CPUE of the time series for a given taxon divided by the standard deviation of this average. The catches per tow for fish taxa are available on the St. Lawrence Global Observatory (SLGO). Finally, Table 2 provides a list of all taxa, vertebrates and invertebrates, caught among the 149 successful tows achieved during the 2021 survey. The occurrence, defined as the number of tows where the species was identified, as well as total catch, by weight and number of specimens, are also presented. The number of specimens measured per taxon and some descriptive statistics for the length parameter are also presented in Table 3. RESULTS Warning: The bottom trawl survey is designed to sample demersal species. However, catches may also include pelagic species and species associated with coastal or rocky habitats which are more difficult to trawl. Although these taxa are found in catches, they have a low catchability by trawl net. Caution is required when interpreting the results obtained for these taxa. BIODIVERSITY In total, 82 fish taxa and 214 invertebrate taxa were identified in 2021 (Table 2). https://ogsl.ca/en/home-slgo/ 5 In 2021, the biomass of the two redfish species combined accounted for 82% of the biomass of all captured organisms in the survey (e.g., invertebrates, pelagic fish, demersal fish and groundfish), while it averaged 15% between 1995 and 2012 (Figure 4). The Atlantic redfish (Sebastes mentella) constituted, alone, 70% of the catches made during the survey, indicating that they actually dominate the GSL bottom ecosystem. Species richness is generally higher near the coasts such as the north and west of Anticosti Island, near the Strait of Belle Isle and in the southwest of Newfoundland (Figure 63). The northwest coast of Anticosti Island stands out this year for the diversity of shrimp (Figure 66) and other invertebrates (Figure 65). Species characteristic of shallow bottoms were observed at these stations. Fish richness this year is relatively similar across the northern GSL with some more diverse regions such as the west coast of Newfoundland (Figure 64). Fish The abundance and the biomass of the black dogfish (Centroscyllium fabricii) have been above average for the past ten years (Figures 5 to 7). Capelin (Mallotus villosus) was mainly distributed in the Estuary, along the North Shore and north of the west coast of Newfoundland (Figure 8). For the past twelve years, abundance and biomass of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) has remained above the series average (Figures 9 to 11). The 2021 value is the highest observed for biomass and one of the five highest for abundance. The abundance of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) in 2021 is lower than the 2020 estimate and is slightly below the series average. Biomass increased in 2021 with regards to 2020 and is slightly above average. Size frequency distributions indicate that the 2020 cohort (16 cm mode) and the 22 cm-32 cm fish abundance are lower than the average, while the 32– 45 cm fish abundance is above average (Figures 12–14). The lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) was a rare but regular catch in this survey. Abundance and biomass have been above the series average for many years (Figures 15 to 17). Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) was a frequent catch in this survey and was distributed throughout the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence with the exception of the depths of the Laurentian Channel. The highest catches were observed along the west coast of Newfoundland (Figure 18). Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) and spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) were caught on 29 and 6 occasions, respectively, in 2021. These catches were mainly distributed in the northern eastern part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Figures 19 and 20). Since 2007, silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis) is more common in the northern Gulf, while it was only occasionally observed before (Figures 21 to 23). The abundance and biomass of the longfin hake (Phycis chesteri) have been near average for five years (Figures 24 to 26). The abundance and biomass of white hake (Urophycis tenuis) have been above average for seven years (Figures 27 to 29). In 2021, the abundance and biomass indices of cod (Gadus morhua) have increased, these indices are above the average of their respective series. A length frequency mode is observed from 28 to 38 cm (juvenile cod). The geographic distribution of catches in 2021 is comparable to previous years (Figures 30 to 32). 6 American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) was frequently caught and its abundance is stable and above average and its biomass is increasing (Figures 33 to 35). Witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) was frequently caught. The strong cohorts from 2007 and 2009 have contributed to the increase in biomass; these fish are now larger than 30 cm (Figures 36 to 38). Thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata) and smooth skate (Malacoraja senta) were both very frequently caught. The abundance of thorny skate is stable and near the average. The abundance is decreasing below the average for smooth skate (Figures 39 to 44). Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) is a small cold water demersal fish. Catches in recent years have been made in the Estuary, along the North Shore and on the west coast of Newfoundland (Figures 45 to 46). Acadian redfish abundance and biomass (Sebastes fasciatus) are above the averages of the time series (Figures 47 to 49). Three strong cohorts (2011, 2012 and 2013) of Atlantic redfish (Sebastes mentella) have contributed to the increase in abundance and biomass since 2013. The 2011 cohort, which is the most abundant, now has a modal size of 24 cm. These redfish are distributed throughout the channels of the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Figures 50 to 52). Invertebrates The three most abundant shrimp species in the deep waters of the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence, namely northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis), striped pink shrimp (Pandalus montagui) and pink glass shrimp (Pasiphaea multidentata), have been declining for several years (Figure 68). The abundance and biomass of the northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) have declined significantly since 2003 and reached the lowest values in the historical series since 2017 (Figures 53 to 55). Northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus), a seasonal pelagic species from the south, has been present in over 50% of the tows since 2017 in all areas except the estuary and Strait of Belle Isle. This strong squid presence had not been observed for several years (Figures 59 to 61). Four species of sea pens were present in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The larger sea pens (Anthoptilum grandiflorum, Halipteris finmarchica, Ptilella grandis) are distributed in the deeper areas of the Laurentian Channel, while the spiny sea pen (Pennatula aculeata) has a more widespread distribution (Figures 59 to 62). Several observations of the sepiole Stoloteuthis leucoptera were made this year during the survey. This species was recorded at 12 different stations for a total of 51 individuals captured (Table 2). The first observation of this sepiole was made in 2019 where 10 individuals were observed. No individual had been captured in 2020. This species is commonly found in the northeast Atlantic and appears to occasionally enter the Gulf of St. Lawrence through the Cabot Strait. A single species of hard coral lives in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Flabellum alabastrum. This year, a record biomass of 1.23 kg was caught. The average annual total capture weight is approximately 0.33 kg. The highest concentrations of this coral are found near the southwestern tip of Newfoundland in the depths of the Laurentian Channel. Flabellum alabastrum is slow- growing, as many other cold-water corals are, and lives at least fifty years. 7 PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS A preliminary analysis of water temperature data collected in 2021 (Figures 69 and 70) shows that conditions have warmed at 150 m and deeper, reaching new records since 1915 at 150 m, 200 m, 250 m (not shown) and 300 m (note that these annual records may change with the addition of data sampled during the fall). Compared to conditions observed in August 2020, waters have warmed by about 0.5 °C at 150 m, by 0.3 °C at 200 m, by 0.1 °C at 250 but by only 0.03 °C at 300 m because of a 0.3 °C cooling at Cabot Strait. The August cold intermediate layer (CIL) minimum temperature was much warmer in 2021 than in 2020, reaching the highest values of the modern CTD era. Surface water temperatures were near normal in July-August (+0.3 standard deviation [SD]; +0.2 °C). Air temperatures over the Gulf were above normal in April 2021, June and August, near normal in May and below normal in July. This led to above normal average surface water temperatures for the period of May–August (+0.7 SD relative to the 1991–2020 climatology and +0.5 °C) but near normal for July–August (+0.3 SD; +0.2 °C). At the end of winter 2021, the volume of water of the surface layer with temperatures lower than 0 °C was the lowest in the history of the March survey (since 1996), forecasting the warmest summer cold intermediate layer (CIL) since the 1980s. Its seasonal average minimum temperature (the Gilbert & Pettigrew index), estimated for 2021 using only data from the August survey, would potentially be the warmest since 1980 at 0.7 °C (+2.6 SD; Figure 70). The volume of the CIL T <1 °C) was also at its lowest level since the beginning of the continuous time series beginning in 1985. Beneath the cold intermediate layer, the estuarine flow that carries water from the depths to the channel heads has carried the increasingly warm waters that had been transitioning for several years through Cabot Strait, central Gulf and Esquiman Channel further upstream. Consequently, deep water temperatures in August have increased since 2020 below 150 m in all regions except Cabot Strait (Figure 69). Considering all the data recorded in different months of the year, the three regions along the deep Laurentian Channel north of Cabot Strait, i.e., the Estuary, northwestern Gulf, and Central Gulf, are all experiencing record temperatures at 300 m (6.1 °C, 6.5 °C, 6.9 °C). The annual mean exceeded 6° C in the estuary for the first time. The Gulf-wide average temperature at 300 m has reached a record level since 1915 at 6.87 °C, an increase of only 0.03 °C since 2020 (Figure 70). This near stability was caused by a decrease in temperature of 0.3 °C in Cabot Strait, passing from 7.2 °C to 6.9 °C. The temperature reduction observed last year at the mouth of the Laurentian Channel having transited to Cabot Strait. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank both crews of the CCGS Teleost and wish to highlight the excellent work of the 2021 scientific team. The science team consisted of Tom Bermingham, Myranda Blouin, Brian Boivin, Hugo Bourdages, Claude Brassard, Sarah Brown-Vuillemin, Jean-Martin Chamberland, Grégoire Cortial, Mathieu Desgagnés, Laurie Isabel, Jean-François Lussier, Marie-Claude Marquis, Guillaume Mercier, Anthony Ouellet, Jordan Ouellette-Plante, Éric Parent, Shani Rousseau, Pierre-Marc Scallon-Chouinard, Caroline Senay, Jean-Luc Shaw et Émilie Simard. We also thank Denis Bernier for his support for the development of data entry tools and data management. Finally, we would like to thank Charley Cyr for reviewing this document. 8 REFERENCES CITED Bourdages, H., Savard, L., Archambault, D. and Valois, S. 2007. Results from the August 2004 and 2005 comparative fishing experiments in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence between the CCGS Alfred Needler and the CCGS Teleost. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2750: ix + 57 p. Dutil, J.-D., Nozères, C., Scallon-Chouinard, P.-M., Van Guelpen, L., Bernier, D., Proulx, S., Miller, R. and Savenkoff, C. 2009. Poissons connus et méconnus des fonds marins du Saint-Laurent. Le naturaliste canadien 133: 70-82. McCallum, B. and Walsh, S. J. 2002. An update on the performance of the Campelen 1800 during bottom trawl surveys in NAFO subareas 2 and 3 in 2001. NAFO SCR Doc. 02/36. 16 p. Miller, R. and Chabot, D. 2014. Code List of Marine Plants, Invertebrates and Vertebrates Used by the Quebec Region of DFO. Can. Data Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1254:iv + 115 p. Nozères, C., Archambault, D., Chouinard, P.-M., Gauthier, J., Miller, R., Parent, E., Schwab, P., Savard, L., and Dutil, J.-D. 2010. Identification guide for marine fishes of the estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence and sampling protocols used during trawl surveys between 2004 and 2008. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2866: xi + 243 p. Nozères, C. and Archambault, D. 2014. Portfolio pour l’identification rapide d’invertébrés capturés au chalut dans l’estuaire et le nord du golfe du Saint-Laurent. Rapp. manus. can. sci. halieut. aquat. 3033:iv + 30 p. Nozères C., Archambault, D. and Miller, R. 2014. Photocatalogue of invertebrates of the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence from trawl surveys (2005–2013). Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3035:iv + 221 p. R Development Core Team. 2011. R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing. Vienna, Austria. (Accessed November 30th 2017). Savard, L. and Nozères, C. 2012. Atlas of shrimp species of the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3007:vi + 67 p. Senay, C., Ouellette-Plante, J., Bourdages, H., Bermingham, T., Gauthier, J., Parent, G., Chabot, D., and Duplisea, D. 2021. Unit 1 Redfish (Sebastes mentella and S. fasciatus) stock status in 2019 and updated information on population structure, biology, ecology, and current fishery closures. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2021/015. xi + 119 p. http://www.r-project.org/ https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/ResDocs-DocRech/2021/2021_015-eng.html https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/ResDocs-DocRech/2021/2021_015-eng.html https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/ResDocs-DocRech/2021/2021_015-eng.html 9 TABLES Table 1. Number of successful stations per stratum for the DFO survey. Stratum NAFO Surface (km2) 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 401 4T 545 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 6 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 2 402 4T 909 3 5 5 3 3 1 3 2 3 5 3 3 3 2 0 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 403 4T 1190 3 3 3 3 3 3 10 10 3 5 3 3 3 3 6 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 2 1 404 4T 792 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 6 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 405 4T 1478 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 9 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 406 4T 2579 5 3 3 3 3 3 5 5 3 5 3 4 5 3 5 6 4 4 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 407 4T 2336 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 5 3 5 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 2 4 4 2 3 4 3 3 3 408 4T 2734 4 5 5 3 2 3 3 2 5 5 4 3 3 3 2 11 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 3 4 4 2 4 3 2 2 2 409 4T 909 3 3 3 3 0 3 4 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 410 4T 1818 2 3 3 3 4 6 10 6 5 4 4 4 5 3 3 6 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 411 4T 1859 3 3 3 3 4 7 9 7 6 9 5 9 4 3 5 8 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 3 412 4T 1283 3 3 3 3 4 5 3 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 2 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 413 4T 731 3 4 3 3 0 3 3 4 3 4 4 4 3 3 1 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 414 4T 388 3 2 3 3 1 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 6 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 0 2 1 0 2 801 4R 1214 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 2 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 2 2 802 4R 1369 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 8 3 8 2 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 2 2 803 4S 6976 14 3 2 4 3 3 3 3 4 5 3 4 6 2 1 14 6 8 8 7 3 6 7 3 10 8 5 8 8 4 4 5 804 4S 2490 5 4 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 6 3 2 3 10 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 805 4S 5762 14 7 4 4 6 4 11 8 4 5 5 5 12 8 4 10 8 7 7 6 4 5 7 5 7 7 9 7 5 6 6 8 806 4S 2127 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 5 4 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 807 4S 2370 3 12 11 10 5 5 4 4 3 3 4 3 2 1 0 7 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 3 2 3 2 808 4S 2428 4 7 6 4 5 4 3 3 2 4 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 2 4 4 4 4 4 0 2 3 809 4R 1547 3 9 7 6 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 4 3 3 0 3 2 810 4R 765 3 4 5 4 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 6 5 3 8 3 3 4 3 0 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 811 4R 1506 3 4 4 4 5 3 8 6 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 2 2 812 4R 4648 7 9 8 11 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 5 5 4 5 4 5 3 5 3 8 7 6 6 5 6 5 5 813 4R 3958 6 6 5 9 3 4 6 5 7 4 6 8 2 5 3 9 5 3 5 3 4 4 6 3 6 6 4 3 5 5 6 4 814 4S 1029 3 4 4 4 3 0 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 815 4S 4407 9 15 11 8 5 4 3 3 8 9 9 2 6 3 3 14 5 5 6 5 5 3 6 4 6 7 6 6 5 6 4 7 816 4S 5032 9 11 9 9 6 6 17 17 20 21 21 1 6 4 4 11 7 7 7 6 4 4 3 6 6 8 7 7 5 6 4 6 817 4S 3646 7 18 11 7 9 10 9 5 11 17 13 14 8 5 2 7 5 5 4 5 3 3 4 4 5 4 6 6 5 5 6 5 818 4S 2774 4 7 5 4 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 7 5 1 6 4 4 2 4 3 4 3 3 4 5 4 5 4 4 5 1 819 4S 1441 3 7 9 5 4 5 3 2 3 3 4 1 1 3 0 8 2 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 0 820 4R 1358 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 5 6 5 5 3 2 3 3 14 3 3 3 3 0 2 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 0 2 3 821 4R 1272 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 3 3 3 3 2 4 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 0 2 1 822 4R 3245 6 4 3 2 3 3 6 4 10 8 10 9 3 3 3 8 4 4 4 3 4 2 4 2 5 3 4 2 3 4 5 4 823 4R 556 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 1 3 2 3 2 5 2 10 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 2 2 824 4R 837 3 1 3 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 3 6 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 827 4S 3231 0 1 1 1 3 3 0 2 3 1 3 0 2 2 3 6 4 4 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 3 3 3 4 0 2 3 828 4S 2435 4 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 1 0 1 0 3 3 1 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 4 3 2 3 829 4S 2692 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 2 0 2 1 0 8 4 4 3 2 3 2 2 3 2 4 3 2 3 1 2 3 830 4S 1917 3 3 4 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 3 2 1 1 0 6 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 831 4S 1204 3 0 2 3 3 3 3 2 3 4 3 3 1 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 832 4S 3962 4 12 11 7 7 9 8 5 3 3 3 3 2 3 4 8 4 5 5 3 4 3 6 4 4 4 3 5 5 4 5 4 833 4S 559 3 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 2 6 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 835 4R 2641 0 6 7 6 3 3 3 3 6 5 6 5 6 3 3 8 5 5 5 4 0 4 5 2 4 3 3 4 4 0 3 1 836 4R 3149 0 7 8 6 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 4 10 5 3 5 4 3 4 4 3 5 5 2 3 4 3 5 3 837 4R 2668 0 5 6 3 2 3 4 4 3 3 3 3 5 5 2 4 4 3 5 3 3 2 5 1 4 4 3 3 2 3 3 3 838 4R 3378 0 9 8 7 5 5 0 0 0 2 0 4 4 0 3 10 6 3 6 0 0 3 5 0 6 4 5 3 5 3 5 3 839 4S 4390 0 2 5 5 3 2 2 1 2 3 3 0 0 3 2 3 6 5 4 3 3 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 2 1 1 3 840 4R 765 0 3 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 5 3 0 3 0 0 1 3 0 2 3 2 0 1 0 2 0 841 4S 816 0 0 1 3 3 3 3 0 2 1 2 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 Total 116 115 191 250 239 214 175 182 217 185 204 224 209 183 171 163 133 354 192 183 189 164 132 156 178 141 177 182 159 163 160 124 143 142 851 4T 456 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 852 4T 427 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 854 4T 465 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 1 1 855 4T 928 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 4 3 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 10 Table 2. Occurrences and total catches, in weight and number, by taxon during the 2021 survey (147 successful tows). Taxonomic codes (STRAP) follow Miller and Chabot (2014), with scientific name updates by the World Marine Species Registry (WoRMS 2018, http://www.marinespecies.org). Vertebrates Code STRAP Scientific Name French Name English Name Occurrence Weight (kg) Number 90 Amblyraja radiata Raie épineuse Thorny Skate 124 816.8 1326 696 Ammodytes sp. Lançons Sand Lances 10 4.4 385 700 Anarhichas lupus Loup atlantique Atlantic Wolffish 29 123.7 347 701 Anarhichas minor Loup tacheté Spotted Wolffish 6 45 9 718 Anisarchus medius Lompénie naine Stout Eelblenny 2 1.7 221 320 Arctozenus risso Lussion blanc White Barracudina 74 9.5 481 193 Argentina silus Grande argentine Atlantic Argentine 16 24.4 289 811 Artediellus atlanticus Hameçon atlantique Atlantic Hookear Sculpin 26 1 203 810 Artediellus sp. Hameçons Hookear Sculpins 12 1.1 64 812 Artediellus uncinatus Hameçon neigeux Arctic Hookear Sculpin 3 <0.1 8 838 Aspidophoroides monopterygius Poisson-alligator atlantique Alligatorfish 33 0.6 150 102 Bathyraja spinicauda Raie à queue épineuse Spinytail Skate 2 26.7 3 451 Boreogadus saida Saïda franc Arctic Cod 7 2.1 38 865 Careproctus reinhardti Petite limace de mer Sea Tadpole 8 0.6 26 27 Centroscyllium fabricii Aiguillat noir Black Dogfish 25 2452.6 2933 150 Clupea harengus Hareng atlantique Atlantic Herring 61 1251.6 5793 721 Cryptacanthodes maculatus Terrassier tacheté Wrymouth 6 3.4 11 849 Cyclopterus lumpus Grosse poule de mer Lumpfish 34 45.6 85 461 Enchelyopus cimbrius Motelle à quatre barbillons Fourbeard Rockling 102 46.6 1490 618 Epigonus pandionis Cardinal Big Eye 1 0.1 1 711 Eumesogrammus praecisus Quatre-lignes atlantique Fourline Snakeblenny 25 6.1 216 847 Eumicrotremus terraenovae Petite poule Terre-Neuve Newfoundland Spiny Lumpsucker 27 3.8 239 438 Gadus morhua Morue franche Atlantic Cod 80 6974.1 13 743 439 Gadus ogac Ogac, morue ogac Greenland Cod 1 0.6 1 454 Gaidropsarus ensis Mustèle arctique à trois barbillons Threebeard Rockling 1 <0.1 1 890 Glyptocephalus cynoglossus Plie grise Witch Flounder 122 463 2758 205 Gonostomatidae Cyclothones Bristlemouths 3 <0.1 3 746 Gymnelus viridis Unernak caméléon Fish Doctor 1 <0.1 1 823 Gymnocanthus tricuspis Tricorne arctique Arctic Staghorn Sculpin 27 13.2 197 797 Helicolenus dactylopterus Chèvre impériale Blackbelly Rosefish 1 0.1 1 809 Hemitripterus americanus Hémitriptère atlantique Sea Sculpin 1 0.8 1 889 Hippoglossoides platessoides Plie canadienne American Plaice 138 1315.1 12 901 http://www.marinespecies.org/ http://www.marinespecies.org/ 11 Code STRAP Scientific Name French Name English Name Occurrence Weight (kg) Number 893 Hippoglossus hippoglossus Flétan atlantique Atlantic Halibut 54 1419.8 126 830 Icelus sp. Icèles Spatulate and Twohorn Sculpin 2 <0.1 2 832 Icelus spatula Icèle spatulée Spatulate Sculpin 7 0.1 11 836 Leptagonus decagonus Agone atlantique Atlantic Poacher 15 4.6 266 717 Leptoclinus maculatus Lompénie tachetée Daubed Shanny 33 6.7 966 100 Leucoraja ocellata Raie tachetée Winter Skate 2 4.2 2 891 Limanda ferruginea Limande à queue jaune Yellowtail Flounder 5 77.3 619 868 Liparis bathyarcticus Limace nébuleuse Nebulous Snailfish 4 0.7 7 966 Lophius americanus Baudroie d’Amérique Monkfish, Goosefish 15 96.9 16 716 Lumpenus lampretaeformis Lompénie-serpent Snakeblenny 20 10.8 392 750 Lycenchelys paxillus Lycode commune Common Wolf Eel 1 <0.1 1 752 Lycenchelys verrillii Lycode à tête longue Wolf Eelpout 5 0.1 14 727 Lycodes esmarkii Lycode d’Esmark Esmark’s Eelpout 8 2.4 9 728 Lycodes lavalaei Lycode du Labrador Newfoundland Eelpout 24 22.5 156 733 Lycodes polaris Lycode polaire Canadian Eelpout 1 0.7 18 726 Lycodes sp. Lycodes Eelpouts 2 0.5 10 734 Lycodes terraenovae Lycode atlantique Atlantic Eelpout 2 0.7 2 730 Lycodes vahlii Lycode à carreaux Vahl’s Eelpout 27 18.6 491 91 Malacoraja senta Raie lisse Smooth Skate 87 86.8 287 187 Mallotus villosus Capelan Capelin 87 1438.1 123 987 441 Melanogrammus aeglefinus Aiglefin Haddock 4 4.1 6 745 Melanostigma atlanticum Molasse atlantique Atlantic Soft Pout 42 1.7 465 449 Merluccius bilinearis Merlu argenté Silver Hake 66 51.1 612 272 Myctophidae Poissons-lanterne Lanternfishes 29 0.4 118 271 Myctophiformes Poissons des profondeurs Deepwater Fishes 10 1.9 78 281 Myctophum punctatum Lanterne ponctuée Spotted Lanternfish 2 <0.1 2 820 Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus Chaboisseau à dix-huit-épines Longhorn Sculpin 2 5.7 48 819 Myoxocephalus scorpius Chaboisseau à épines courtes Shorthorn Sculpin 28 55 182 13 Myxine limosa Myxine du nord Northern Hagfish 85 261 3452 368 Nemichthys scolopaceus Avocette ruban Atlantic Snipe Eel 2 <0.1 2 278 Neoscopelus macrolepidotus Lanterne à grandes écailles Glowingfish 3 0.1 3 478 Nezumia bairdii Grenadier du grand Banc Common Grenadier 90 123.4 3194 275 Notoscopelus kroyeri Lanterne-voilière nordique Kroyer’s Lanternfish 9 0.7 33 188 Osmerus mordax mordax Éperlan arc-en-ciel Rainbow Smelt 1 0.1 1 874 Paraliparis calidus Limace ardente Lowfin Snailfish 7 0.1 12 856 Paraliparis copei copei Limace à museau noir Blacksnout Seasnail 3 <0.1 4 854 Paraliparis sp. Limaces Snailfishes 1 <0.1 1 15 Petromyzon marinus Lamproie marine Sea Lamprey 1 <0.1 1 12 Code STRAP Scientific Name French Name English Name Occurrence Weight (kg) Number 444 Phycis chesteri Merluche à longues nageoires Longfin Hake 33 89.5 505 443 Pollachius virens Goberge Pollock 5 25.1 11 222 Polyipnus clarus Hache Slope Hachetfish 2 <0.1 2 244 Polymetme thaeocoryla Poisson lumineux Ligthfishes 1 <0.1 94 Rajella fyllae Raie ronde Round Skate 1 <0.1 1 892 Reinhardtius hippoglossoides Flétan du Groenland, turbot Greeenland Halibut, Turbot 115 4040.4 10 691 572 Scomber scombrus Maquereau bleu Atlantic Mackerel 31 1.1 110 796 Sebastes fasciatus Sébaste acadien Acadian Redfish 80 12 944.5 68 848 794 Sebastes mentella Sébaste atlantique Deepwater Redfish 122 79796 418 479 369 Serrivomer beanii Serrivomer trapu Stout Sawpalate 1 <0.1 1 814 Triglops murrayi Faux-trigle armé Moustache Sculpin 36 22 2086 447 Urophycis tenuis Merluche blanche White Hake 75 413.1 665 Total Vertébrés Vertebrates 114 663 680 920 Invertebrates Code STRAP Scientific Name French Name English Name Occurrence Weight (kg) Number 1100 Invertébrés Invertebrates 10 0.2 35 2296 Capsule d’œuf de Fecampiidae Fecampiidae Egg Capsule 9 <0.1 10 2182 Actinauge cristata Anémone de mer Anemone 38 57.1 6348 2165 Actiniaria Actinies et Anémones Sea Anemones 18 0.4 66 2162 Actinostola callosa Anémones de mer Anemone 60 354 5161 6771 Aega psora Isopode Isopod 15 <0.1 18 2676 Alcyonidium gelatinosum Bryozoaire marin Marine bryozoans 1 0.1 - 2675 Alcyonidium sp. Bryozoaire Bryozoan 1 <0.1 2 3164 Amicula vestita Chiton Chiton 2 <0.1 2 6930 Amphipoda Amphipodes Amphipods 1 <0.1 1 8593 Amphiura sp. Ophiures Brittle star 2 <0.1 5 4218 Anomiidae Pétoncle Scallop 1 <0.1 1 7389 Anonyx sp. Gammarides Gammarids 4 <0.1 9 2218 Anthoptilum grandiflorum Plume de mer Sea pen 39 37.7 2992 5002 Aphrodita hastata Souris de mer Sea Mouse 21 1.5 49 6594 Arcoscalpellum michelottianum Balane Barnacle 5 0.1 7 8138 Argis dentata Crevette verte Arctic Argid 33 6.2 1549 3418 Arrhoges occidentalis Pied-de-pélican American Pelicanfoot 17 1.3 143 8742 Ascidia sp. Ascidie Sea squirts 72 8.7 1705 13 Code STRAP Scientific Name French Name English Name Occurrence Weight (kg) Number 8680 Ascidiacea Ascidies, tuniqués sessiles Ascidians, Sessile Tunicates 12 <0.1 19 1120 Asconema foliatum Éponge Sponge 3 1.1 - 4231 Astarte borealis Astarte Boreal Astarte 1 <0.1 1 4227 Astarte sp. Astartes Astartes 22 0.1 38 8396 Asterias rubens Astérie boréale commune Purple Seastar 3 <0.1 3 8390 Asteroidea Étoiles de mer Sea Stars 2 <0.1 2 8113 Atlantopandalus propinqvus Crevette Shrimp 16 0.9 219 2097 Atolla wyvillei Méduse Jellyfish 1 <0.1 1 3583 Aulacofusus brevicauda Buccin Whelk 2 <0.1 3 2085 Aurelia aurita Méduse de lune Moon Jelly 3 0.3 3 2084 Aurelia sp. Méduse Jelly fish 1 0.1 1 6595 Balanidae Balanes Barnacles 1 <0.1 1 4102 Bathyarca sp. Bivalves Bathyarks 1 <0.1 1 4904 Bathypolypus bairdii Poulpe North Atlantic Octopus 65 7.4 169 3519 Beringius turtoni Buccin Whelk 2 0.1 3 3995 Bivalvia Bivalves Bivalves 2 0.1 2 2158 Bolocera tuediae Anémone de mer Anemone 64 43.3 921 8793 Boltenia echinata Cactus de mer Cactus Sea Squirt 5 <0.1 15 8792 Boltenia ovifera Patate de mer Sea Potato 16 32.4 581 3488 Boreotrophon sp. Murex Murex 5 <0.1 6 8798 Botrylloides sp. Ascidie Tunicate 2 <0.1 5 5755 Brada inhabilis Polychète Flabelligerid worm 12 <0.1 30 8378 Brisaster fragilis Oursin cœur Heart Urchin 70 315.9 34203 2670 Bryozoa Bryozoaires Bryozoans 15 0.1 60 3520 Buccinum cyaneum Buccin bleu Bluish Whelk 9 0.3 25 3523 Buccinum scalariforme Buccin Ladder Whelk 5 0.1 13 3516 Buccinum sp. Buccins Whelk 14 0.7 38 3517 Buccinum undatum Buccin commun Waved Whelk 15 0.3 25 8173 Calocaris templemani Crevette fouisseuse Lobster Shrimp 3 <0.1 7 8429 Ceramaster granularis Étoile de mer Sea Star 19 0.8 39 8213 Chionoecetes opilio Crabe des neiges Snow Crab 91 205.2 1607 6593 Chirona hameri Balane turbané Turban Barnacle 3 3.4 - 4167 Chlamys islandica Pétoncle d’Islande Iceland Scallop 15 9.5 342 4351 Ciliatocardium ciliatum Coque d’Islande Iceland Cockle 5 0.7 24 6580 Cirripedia Balanes Barnacles 1 0.1 - 3908 Colga villosa Nudibranche Nudibranch 5 <0.1 11 3577 Colus pubescens Buccin Hairy Whelk 3 0.1 5 3575 Colus sp. Buccins Whelks 5 0.2 9 14 Code STRAP Scientific Name French Name English Name Occurrence Weight (kg) Number 3576 Colus stimpsoni Buccin Whelk 4 0.2 8 8125 Crangon septemspinosa Crevette sable Sand Shrimp 1 <0.1 1 2151 Cribrinopsis similis Anémone de mer Sea Anemone 1 <0.1 1 8447 Crossaster papposus Soleil de mer épineux Spiny Sun Star 28 3.2 171 3422 Cryptonatica affinis Lunaties Arctic moonsnail 8 <0.1 9 8407 Ctenodiscus crispatus Étoile de mer Mud Star 85 194 57 730 2250 Ctenophora Cténophores Comb-Jellies 2 0.1 41 8312 Cucumaria frondosa Concombre de mer Orange Footed Sea Cucumber 7 16.2 53 4526 Cuspidaria glacialis Mye Gacial Dipperclam 24 0.1 86 4525 Cuspidaria sp. Myes Dipperclams 1 <0.1 2 2080 Cyanea capillata Crinière de lion Lion’s Mane 104 155.3 420 8408 Diplopteraster multipes Étoile de mer Sea Star 5 0.8 10 3965 Doridoxa ingolfiana Nudibranche Nudibranch 1 <0.1 1 2191 Drifa glomerata Corail mou Soft coral 30 0.7 176 2183 Duva florida Corail mou Sea Cauliflower 20 0.8 53 8373 Echinarachnius parma Dollar de sable Common Sand Dollar 1 <0.1 1 8316 Ekmania barthii Concombre de mer Sea Cucumber 1 <0.1 1 7383 Epimeria loricata Gammaride Gammarid 8 <0.1 29 2157 Epizoanthus sp. Anémone de mer Sea Anemone 14 <0.1 61 8081 Eualus belcheri Bouc Circumpolar Eualid 1 <0.1 - 8075 Eualus fabricii Bouc Arctique Arctic Eualid 15 0.1 144 8079 Eualus gaimardii Bouc Circumpolar Eualid 1 <0.1 1 8080 Eualus gaimardii gaimardii Bouc Circumpolar Eualid 3 <0.1 6 8077 Eualus macilentus Bouc du Groenland Greenland Shrimp 12 2.2 2164 8074 Eualus sp. Bouc Eualid 8 <0.1 58 8778 Eudistoma vitreum Ascidie Tunicate 11 0.2 59 5045 Eunoe nodosa Polychète Seaworm 1 <0.1 1 5461 Euphrosine borealis Polychète Seaworm 2 <0.1 2 7195 Eusirus cuspidatus Gammaride Gammarid 6 <0.1 17 3437 Euspira pallida Lunatie du Groenland Pale Moonsnail 9 0.1 30 2295 Fecampiidae Vers flats Flatworms 1 <0.1 1 2224 Flabellum alabastrum Madrépore Cup coral 12 1.2 186 3175 Gastropoda Gastéropodes Gastropods 1 <0.1 1 2184 Gersemia rubiformis Corail mou Sea Strawberry 19 0.5 190 5902 Golfingia margaritacea Sipunculide Sipunculid 6 0.1 46 8540 Gorgonocephalus sp. Gorgonocéphales Basket Stars 31 88.6 423 2217 Halipteris finmarchica Plume de mer Sea pen 17 3.3 178 8797 Halocynthia pyriformis Pêche de mer Sea Peach 3 0.3 19 15 Code STRAP Scientific Name French Name English Name Occurrence Weight (kg) Number 5934 Hamingia arctica Échiure Echiurid 1 <0.1 1 8263 Heliometra glacialis Lis de mer Feather star 4 0.2 87 1131 Hemigellius arcofer Éponge Sponge 1 1 - 3090 Hemithiris psittacea Brachiopode Lamp Shell 4 <0.1 33 8483 Henricia sp. Étoiles de mer Sea Stars 57 0.7 196 4437 Hiatella arctica Saxicave arctique Arctic Saxicave 1 <0.1 2 8431 Hippasteria phrygiana Étoile de mer Sea Star 42 14.8 69 8290 Holothuroidea Cocombres de mer Sea Cucumbers 3 0.1 6 2150 Hormathia digitata Anémone Anemone 25 0.4 116 2167 Hormathia nodosa Anémone noduleuse Rugose Anemone 4 0.2 8 8219 Hyas alutaceus Crabe lyre Arctic Lyre Crab 30 9.4 754 8217 Hyas araneus Crabe lyre Atlantic Lyre Crab 14 4.6 234 1341 Hydrozoa Hydrozoaires Hydrozoans 26 0.2 56 4753 Illex illecebrosus Encornet rouge nordique Northern Shortfin Squid 96 133.5 894 3255 Lacuna vincta Gastropode Northern Lacuna 1 <0.1 4 5003 Laetmonice filicornis Polychète Seaworm 36 0.4 192 8092 Lebbeus groenlandicus Bouc Spiny Lebbeid 8 1.2 264 8095 Lebbeus microceros Bouc Shrimp 3 <0.1 4 8093 Lebbeus polaris Bouc Polar Lebbeid 46 0.7 450 8091 Lebbeus sp. Boucs Lebbeids 7 <0.1 - 8511 Leptasterias polaris Étoile de mer polaire Polar Sea Star 10 3.9 27 8513 Leptasterias groenlandica Étoile de mer du Groenland Greenland Sea Star 14 0.1 25 8510 Leptasterias sp. Étoiles de mer Sea Stars 2 <0.1 8 8521 Leptychaster arcticus Stelléridé Sea Star 2 <0.1 2 3459 Limneria undata Veloutée rayée Wavy Lamellaria 2 <0.1 2 2207 Liponema multicorne Anémone Sea anemone 12 2.5 97 8196 Lithodes maja Crabe épineux du Nord Norway King Crab 50 57.4 161 4395 Macoma calcarea Bivalve Chalky Macoma 9 0.1 17 3219 Margarites costalis Margarite rosé du Nord Boreal Rosy Margarite 11 <0.1 34 3216 Margarites groenlandicus Troque Greenland marguerite 3 <0.1 3 4025 Megayoldia thraciaeformis Bivalve Broad Yoldia 34 5.2 3408 8322 Molpadia oolitica Holothurie Sea Cucumber 4 1.7 26 8164 Munidopsis curvirostra Munidopsis curvirostra Squat Lobster 20 <0.1 37 4121 Mytilus sp. Moules Mussels 11 0.1 13 3000 Nemertea Némerte Ribbon Worm 1 <0.1 1 2219 Nephtheidae Coraux mous Soft corals 12 0.2 33 3565 Neptunea sp. Buccins Whelks 8 0.3 11 4019 Nuculana sp. Bivalves Nutclams 6 <0.1 12 16 Code STRAP Scientific Name French Name English Name Occurrence Weight (kg) Number 5961 Nymphon sp. Araignées de mer Sea Spiders 23 <0.1 52 8575 Ophiacantha bidentata Ophiure épineuse Brittle Star 20 0.1 162 8583 Ophiopholis aculeata Ophiure paquerette Daisy Brittle Star 47 15.6 11 042 8585 Ophioscolex glacialis Ophiure Brittle star 9 <0.1 14 8552 Ophiura robusta Ophiure Brittle Star 3 <0.1 8 8553 Ophiura sarsii Ophiure Brittle Star 62 178.1 58 439 8530 Ophiuroidea Ophiures Brittle Stars 1 <0.1 1 8178 Pagurus sp. Bernard hermite droitier Hermit Crab 21 0.2 52 8111 Pandalus borealis Crevette nordique Northern Shrimp 126 2328.1 398 241 8112 Pandalus montagui Crevette ésope Striped Pink Shrimp 65 60.7 25023 8110 Pandalus sp. Crevette Boreal Red Shrimp 7 0.4 - 4438 Panomya norvegica Saxicave Arctic Roughmya 2 0.1 4 7586 Paramphithoe hystrix Gammaride Gammarid 6 <0.1 6 8057 Pasiphaea multidentata Sivade rose, Crevette blanche Pink Glass Shrimp 80 82.3 26 179 8781 Pelonaia corrugata Ascidie Tunicate 1 <0.1 4 2203 Pennatula aculeata Plume de mer Sea Pen 98 5.4 2205 2096 Periphylla periphylla Méduse à coronne Crown jellyfish 31 49.3 48 1116 Phakellia sp. Éponge Sponge 3 4.3 - 5907 Phascolion strombus strombus Sipunculide Hermit Sipunculid 4 <0.1 10 4955 Phyllodoce groenlandica Polychète Paddle Worm 2 <0.1 2 8114 Plesionika martia Crevette Golden shrimp 1 <0.1 1 2255 Pleurobrachia pileus Groseille de mer ronde Sea Gooseberry 27 0.3 190 3578 Plicifusus kroyeri Colus Arctic Whelk 2 <0.1 3 8783 Polycarpa fibrosa Ascidie Tunicate 3 0.5 363 4950 Polychaeta Polychètes Polychaetes 59 0.2 145 1123 Polymastia grimaldii Éponge Sponge 1 <0.1 1 1109 Polymastia sp. Éponge Sponge 22 2 193 5007 Polynoidae Polychète errante Fifteen-Scaled Worm 18 0.1 61 5264 Polyphysia crassa Polychète Sea worm 6 0.3 64 8135 Pontophilus norvegicus Crevette Norwegian Shrimp 75 3.9 2255 8435 Poraniomorpha sp. Étoile de mer Sea star 6 0.2 8 1101 Porifera Éponges Sponges 107 77.8 - 8433 Pseudarchaster parelii Étoile de mer Sea Star 17 0.4 47 8520 Psilaster andromeda Étoile de mer Sea Star 21 5.7 2609 8295 Psolus fabricii Psolus écarlate Scarlet Psolus 1 0.1 1 8294 Psolus phantapus Holothurie Sea Cucumber 2 <0.1 2 8410 Pteraster militaris Étoile de mer Sea Star 13 0.4 56 8411 Pteraster pulvillus Étoile de mer Sea Star 12 0.1 28 17 Code STRAP Scientific Name French Name English Name Occurrence Weight (kg) Number 2210 Ptilella grandis Plume de mer Sea Pen 36 147.2 4521 2153 Ptychodactis patula Anémone beige évasée Anemone 5 <0.1 5 1353 Ptychogena lactea Méduse Jellyfish 13 0.3 27 5951 Pycnogonida Araignées de mer Sea Spiders 3 <0.1 4 1107 Radiella hemisphaerica Éponge Sponge 15 0.5 80 7211 Rhachotropis aculeata Gammaride Gammarid 14 <0.1 54 1380 Rhodaliidae Siphonophore blabla 7 0.1 19 4557 Rossia sp. Sépioles Bobtails 28 0.5 35 8129 Sabinea sarsii Crevette Sars Shrimp 7 0.1 44 8128 Sabinea septemcarinata Crevette Sevenline Shrimp 28 0.8 404 3491 Scabrotrophon fabricii Murex Murex 4 <0.1 4 3715 Scaphander punctostriatus Céphalaspide Giant Canoe Bubble 25 0.2 87 8119 Sclerocrangon boreas Crevette de roche Scultured Shrimp 15 20 2277 2040 Scyphozoa Scyphozoaires Scyphozoans 36 2 93 2679 Securiflustra securifrons Bryozoaires marins Marine bryozoans 2 <0.1 1 4352 Serripes groenlandicus Coque du Groenland Greenland Smoothcockle 1 <0.1 1 4191 Similipecten greenlandicus Pétoncle Greenland Glass-Scallop 1 <0.1 1 3225 Solariella sp. Gastéropes Topsnail 1 <0.1 1 8445 Solaster endeca Soleil de mer pourpre Purple Sunstar 5 0.1 8 8087 Spirontocaris liljeborgii Bouc épineux Friendly Blade Shrimp 17 0.1 55 8086 Spirontocaris phippsii Bouc Punctate Blade Shrimp 3 <0.1 9 8084 Spirontocaris sp. Bouc Blade Shrimp 27 0.1 - 8085 Spirontocaris spinus Bouc perroquet Parrot Shrimp 23 0.4 238 1352 Staurostoma mertensii Méduse à croix blanche Whitecross Jellyfish 9 0.3 29 7750 Stegocephalus inflatus Gammaride Gammarid 5 <0.1 5 8515 Stephanasterias albula Étoile de mer Sea star 4 <0.1 9 2159 Stephanauge nexilis Anémone de mer Sea anemone 13 0.6 77 4587 Stoloteuthis leucoptera Sépiole Butterfly Squid 12 0.3 51 2173 Stomphia coccinea Anémone marbrée Anemone 32 2 142 8363 Strongylocentrotus sp. Oursins Sea Urchins 53 43 4253 1112 Stylocordyla borealis Éponge Sponge 8 <0.1 73 1113 Sycon sp. Éponge Sponge 1 <0.1 13 8776 Synoicum pulmonaria Ascidie Tunicate 2 1.7 4 6791 Syscenus infelix Isopode Isopod 60 1 649 3310 Tachyrhynchus erosus Gastropode Eroded Turritsnail 1 <0.1 1 1108 Tentorium semisuberites Éponge Sponge 15 0.1 93 3101 Terebratulina septentrionalis Térébratule du Nord Northern Lamp Shell 7 <0.1 18 6972 Themisto libellula Hypéride Hyperiid 1 <0.1 2 18 Code STRAP Scientific Name French Name English Name Occurrence Weight (kg) Number 1114 Thenea muricata Éponge Sponge 3 0.1 11 1357 Thuiaria thuja Hydrozoaire Bottlebrush Hydroid 19 <0.1 89 8516 Urasterias lincki Étoile de mer Sea Star 1 0.3 1 2152 Urticina crassicornis Anémone de mer Sea Anemone 5 0.3 13 4451 Xylophaga atlantica Bivalve Atlantic Woodeater 1 <0.1 - Total Invertebrés Invertebrates 4 836 667 222 Others Code STRAP Scientific Name French Name English Name Occurrence Weight (kg) Number 9965 - Capsule de raie lisse Smooth Skate egg 19 0.3 40 9966 - Capsule de raie épineuse Thorny Skate egg 23 0.5 38 19 Table 3. Number of measured and weighed specimens and length descriptive statistics in 2021. Taxonomic codes (STRAP) follow Miller and Chabot (2014), with scientific name updates by the World Marine Species Registry (WoRMS 2018, http://www.marinespecies.org). Vertebrates Code STRAP Scientific name Sampled number Length (cm) Length Weight Min P1* Median P99* Max 90 Amblyraja radiata 1151 1046 9.3 11.8 36.2 65.0 78.0 696 Ammodytes sp. 58 27 7.8 7.8 16.3 23.5 23.5 700 Anarhichas lupus 297 123 6.6 6.6 29.1 64.6 73.7 701 Anarhichas minor 7 7 9.6 9.6 85.5 94.0 94.0 718 Anisarchus medius 45 10 10.6 10.6 14.0 15.5 15.5 320 Arctozenus risso 474 274 16.4 18.6 24.7 28.2 28.9 193 Argentina silus 221 102 9.2 9.6 21.7 34.0 35.4 811 Artediellus atlanticus 181 103 3.8 3.8 7.6 10.2 11.6 810 Artediellus sp. 64 42 3.7 3.7 6.0 8.5 8.5 812 Artediellus uncinatus 8 8 6.2 6.2 6.4 7.1 7.1 838 Aspidophoroides monopterygius 142 80 4.0 6.4 12.7 16.2 16.4 102 Bathyraja spinicauda 3 3 44.2 44.2 130.0 137.0 137.0 451 Boreogadus saida 38 29 11.0 11.0 19.1 27.5 27.5 865 Careproctus reinhardti 26 18 8.0 8.0 11.3 17.0 17.0 27 Centroscyllium fabricii 628 181 13.9 14.7 39.2 67.1 73.0 150 Clupea harengus 1705 759 12.5 21.8 31.0 38.0 39.7 721 Cryptacanthodes maculatus 11 11 22.2 22.2 37.7 76.8 76.8 849 Cyclopterus lumpus 83 73 8.9 8.9 12.7 44.8 44.8 461 Enchelyopus cimbrius 1289 409 2.3 5.4 19.1 27.2 29.4 618 Epigonus pandionis 1 1 17.2 17.2 17.2 17.2 17.2 711 Eumesogrammus praecisus 205 88 5.8 8.4 15.2 21.5 24.0 847 Eumicrotremus terraenovae 195 102 2.3 2.4 4.7 13.2 15.4 438 Gadus morhua 4400 1758 5.1 15.0 33.3 62.3 94.6 439 Gadus ogac 1 1 37.6 37.6 37.6 37.6 37.6 454 Gaidropsarus ensis 1 1 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 890 Glyptocephalus cynoglossus 2716 1850 6.5 8.9 28.2 43.9 50.0 205 Gonostomatidae 2 2 15.7 15.7 16.6 17.5 17.5 746 Gymnelus viridis 1 1 14.9 14.9 14.9 14.9 14.9 823 Gymnocanthus tricuspis 152 80 9.9 10.7 17.4 22.7 23.4 797 Helicolenus dactylopterus 1 1 21.6 21.6 21.6 21.6 21.6 809 Hemitripterus americanus 1 1 35.2 35.2 35.2 35.2 35.2 889 Hippoglossoides platessoides 5623 2462 2.6 10.6 21.5 43.0 56.5 893 Hippoglossus hippoglossus 126 126 28.0 28.2 83.3 174.0 178.0 830 Icelus sp. 2 2 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.9 832 Icelus spatula 11 11 5.9 5.9 10.0 14.1 14.1 836 Leptagonus decagonus 166 49 10.3 10.4 17.5 21.4 21.9 717 Leptoclinus maculatus 242 94 8.6 8.9 12.9 18.0 18.9 100 Leucoraja ocellata 2 2 46.5 46.5 59.3 72.0 72.0 891 Limanda ferruginea 107 37 12.7 13.8 23.1 34.4 37.4 868 Liparis bathyarcticus 7 7 7.0 7.0 9.8 30.9 30.9 966 Lophius americanus 16 16 32.2 32.2 66.3 104.2 104.2 716 Lumpenus lampretaeformis 205 84 13.7 15.7 30.4 40.4 41.5 750 Lycenchelys paxillus 1 1 22.7 22.7 22.7 22.7 22.7 752 Lycenchelys verrillii 14 14 9.5 9.5 12.4 17.8 17.8 727 Lycodes esmarkii 9 9 6.1 6.1 41.2 51.5 51.5 728 Lycodes lavalaei 141 81 7.6 8.6 23.0 52.7 56.7 733 Lycodes polaris 18 5 9.1 9.1 15.4 31.6 31.6 726 Lycodes sp. 10 10 9.2 9.2 11.4 37.5 37.5 734 Lycodes terraenovae 2 2 39.5 39.5 42.5 45.4 45.4 730 Lycodes vahlii 204 73 8.9 9.3 20.9 36.9 37.3 91 Malacoraja senta 287 275 8.5 8.9 23.8 60.2 62.1 187 Mallotus villosus 1443 364 7.4 9.1 14.5 16.5 19.5 441 Melanogrammus aeglefinus 6 6 20.6 20.6 36.4 52.5 52.5 http://www.marinespecies.org/ 20 Code STRAP Scientific name Sampled number Length (cm) Length Weight Min P1* Median P99* Max 745 Melanostigma atlanticum 427 153 6.3 7.5 10.8 13.7 15.0 449 Merluccius bilinearis 468 346 10.5 13.4 20.3 40.7 45.3 272 Myctophidae 3 3 8.0 8.0 8.6 12.2 12.2 271 Myctophiformes 70 31 13.0 13.0 14.8 17.4 17.4 281 Myctophum punctatum 1 1 13.5 13.5 13.5 13.5 13.5 820 Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus 35 6 11.5 11.5 19.2 35.5 35.5 819 Myoxocephalus scorpius 153 92 8.6 8.8 25.5 38.8 39.9 13 Myxine limosa 1595 415 13.2 21.1 37.3 49.2 58.3 368 Nemichthys scolopaceus 1 1 74.4 74.4 74.4 74.4 74.4 278 Neoscopelus macrolepidotus 1 1 15.4 15.4 15.4 15.4 15.4 478 Nezumia bairdii 1796 473 2.8 9.0 23.5 31.9 34.2 188 Osmerus mordax mordax 1 1 22.9 22.9 22.9 22.9 22.9 874 Paraliparis calidus 12 12 6.1 6.1 9.8 11.9 11.9 856 Paraliparis copei copei 4 4 9.1 9.1 9.6 11.1 11.1 15 Petromyzon marinus 1 1 24.1 24.1 24.1 24.1 24.1 444 Phycis chesteri 467 322 15.5 16.5 30.4 39.0 53.4 443 Pollachius virens 11 11 52.6 52.6 56.5 74.0 74.0 222 Polyipnus clarus 1 1 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 94 Rajella fyllae 1 1 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4 892 Reinhardtius hippoglossoides 4566 2250 3.3 14.5 34.4 52.4 75.2 572 Scomber scombrus 107 85 5.2 5.2 7.8 14.3 35.5 792 Sebastes sp. 13 569 5188 4.7 7.9 23.3 33.5 43.4 814 Triglops murrayi 600 185 7.0 7.2 11.1 16.9 18.0 447 Urophycis tenuis 663 596 20.7 22.8 39.2 66.8 92.0 Invertebrates Code STRAP Scientific name Sampled number Length (cm) Length Weight Min P1* Median P99* Max 2218 Anthoptilum grandiflorum 37 4 32.4 32.4 42.5 59.3 59.3 8138 Argis dentata 614 0 0.7 0.8 1.6 2.3 2.5 8113 Atlantopandalus propinqvus 122 0 0.9 0.9 1.7 2.3 2.3 8213 Chionoecetes opilio 884 19 0.7 1.1 3.7 12.4 15.6 8125 Crangon septemspinosa 1 0 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 8075 Eualus fabricii 77 0 0.6 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.1 8079 Eualus gaimardii 1 0 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 8080 Eualus gaimardii gaimardii 4 0 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.1 1.1 8077 Eualus macilentus 112 0 0.6 0.6 1.0 1.3 1.3 8074 Eualus sp. 9 0 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.0 1.0 2217 Halipteris finmarchica 10 1 29.8 29.8 54.0 83.5 83.5 8219 Hyas alutaceus 359 6 0.5 0.8 2.4 5.9 7.8 8217 Hyas araneus 122 0 0.7 0.7 2.3 8.6 8.6 4753 Illex illecebrosus 749 369 12.0 14.1 19.5 23.0 26.1 8092 Lebbeus groenlandicus 91 0 0.7 0.7 1.4 2.4 2.4 8095 Lebbeus microceros 4 0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.2 8093 Lebbeus polaris 245 0 0.5 0.6 1.1 1.5 1.6 8091 Lebbeus sp. 2 0 0.7 0.7 0.8 1.0 1.0 8196 Lithodes maja 161 27 1.4 1.5 8.0 11.5 11.5 8111 Pandalus borealis 17 147 20 0.6 1.2 2.1 2.7 3.0 8112 Pandalus montagui 2093 0 0.6 0.7 1.4 2.1 2.3 8057 Pasiphaea multidentata 2385 0 1.0 1.6 2.5 3.2 3.5 2203 Pennatula aculeata 172 4 5.5 5.8 12.5 20.9 21.4 8114 Plesionika martia 1 0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 8135 Pontophilus norvegicus 1100 0 0.5 0.8 1.3 1.6 1.7 2210 Ptilella grandis 77 0 12.0 12.0 29.5 46.7 46.7 8129 Sabinea sarsii 38 0 0.6 0.6 1.0 1.5 1.5 8128 Sabinea septemcarinata 318 0 0.7 0.8 1.2 1.7 1.9 8119 Sclerocrangon boreas 483 0 0.7 0.8 1.6 3.0 3.6 8087 Spirontocaris liljeborgii 37 0 0.7 0.7 1.1 1.4 1.4 21 Code STRAP Scientific name Sampled number Length (cm) Length Weight Min P1* Median P99* Max 8086 Spirontocaris phippsii 6 0 0.6 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.1 8084 Spirontocaris sp. 24 0 0.6 0.6 1.0 1.4 1.4 8085 Spirontocaris spinus 123 0 0.6 0.6 1.1 1.4 1.5 * P1: 1er centile P99: 99e centile 22 FIGURES Figure 1. NAFO Divisions of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence and names of locations mentioned in the text. Figure 2. Stratification scheme used for the groundfish and shrimp research survey in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. -70 -68 -66 -64 -62 -60 -58 -56 -70 -68 -66 -64 -62 -60 -58 -56 47 48 49 50 51 52 47 48 49 50 51 52 4S 4R 4T 3Pn 200 m Québec Quebec Nouveau-Brunswick New Brunswick Terre-Neuve Newfoundland Détroit de Cabot Cabot Strait Ch en al Es qu im an Es qu im an C ha nn el Estuaire Estuary Île d'Anticosti Anticosti Island Bassin de Sept-Îles Sept-Îles Basin Chenal Anticosti Anticosti Channel Gaspésie Gaspé Peninsula Chenal Laurentien Laurentian Channel Détro it d e Belle Isl e Stra it o f B elle Isl e 23 Figure 3. Locations of successful sampling stations (trawl and oceanography) and additional oceanographic stations for the 2021 survey. Figure 4. Biomass (1 000 000 tons) of redfish spp. and all other species sampled during the survey in 4RST. Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals. 24 Black dogfish Figure 5. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for black dogfish in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 25 Black dogfish Figure 6. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for black dogfish in 4RST. 26 Black dogfish Figure 7. Black dogfish catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 27 Capelin Figure 8. Capelin catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 28 Atlantic halibut Figure 9. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for Atlantic halibut in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 29 Atlantic halibut Figure 10. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for Atlantic halibut in 4RST. 30 Atlantic halibut Figure 11. Atlantic halibut catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 31 Greenland halibut Figure 12. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for Greenland halibut in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 32 Greenland halibut Figure 13. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for Greenland halibut in 4RST. 33 Greenland halibut Figure 14. Greenland halibut catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 34 Lumpfish Figure 15. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for lumpfish in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 35 Lumpfish Figure 16. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for lumpfish in 4RST. 36 Lumpfish Figure 17. Lumpfish catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 37 Herring Figure 18. Herring catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 38 Atlantic wolffish Figure 19. Atlantic wolffish catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 39 Spotted wolffish Figure 20. Spotted wolffish catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 40 Silver hake Figure 21. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for silver hake in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 41 Silver hake Figure 22. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for silver hake in 4RST. 42 Silver hake Figure 23. Silver hake catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 43 Longfin hake Figure 24. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for longfin hake in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 44 Longfin hake Figure 25. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for longfin hake in 4RST. 45 Longfin hake Figure 26. Longfin hake catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 46 White hake Figure 27. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for white hake in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 47 White hake Figure 28. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for white hake in 4RST. 48 White hake Figure 29. White hake catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 49 Cod Figure 30. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for cod in 4RS. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 50 Cod Figure 31. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for cod in 4RS. 51 Cod Figure 32. Cod catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 52 American plaice Figure 33. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for American plaice in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 53 American Plaice Figure 34. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for American plaice in 4RST. 54 American plaice Figure 35. American plaice catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 55 Witch flounder Figure 36. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for witch flounder in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 56 Witch flounder Figure 37. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for witch flounder in 4RST. 57 Witch flounder Figure 38. Witch flounder catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 58 Thorny skate Figure 39. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for thorny skate in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 59 Thorny skate Figure 40. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for thorny skate in 4RST. 60 Thorny skate Figure 41. Thorny skate catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 61 Smooth skate Figure 42. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for smooth skate in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 62 Smooth skate Figure 43. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for smooth skate in 4RST. 63 Smooth skate Figure 44. Smooth skate catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 64 Arctic cod Figure 45. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for Arctic cod in 4RST. 65 Arctic cod Figure 46. Arctic cod catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 66 Acadian redfish Figure 47. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for Acadian redfish in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 67 Acadian redfish Figure 48. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for Acadian redfish in 4RST. 68 Acadian redfish Figure 49. Acadian redfish catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 69 Deepwater redfish Figure 50. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for deepwater redfish in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 70 Deepwater redfish Figure 51. Length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for deepwater redfish in 4RST. 71 Deepwater redfish Figure 52. Deepwater redfish catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 72 Northern shrimp Figure 53. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for northern shrimp in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 73 Northern shrimp Figure 54. Carapace length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for northern shrimp in 4RST. 74 Northern shrimp Figure 55. Northern shrimp catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 75 Northern shortfin squid Figure 56. Mean numbers and mean weights per 15 minute tow observed during the survey for northern shortfin squid in 4RST. Error bars indicate the 95% confidence interval and the horizontal lines indicate the mean of the 1990–2020 period (solid line) and upper and lower reference (see text) limits (dashed lines). 76 Northern shortfin squid Figure 57. Mantle length frequency distributions (mean number per 15 minute tow) observed during the survey for northern shortfin squid in 4RST. 77 Northern shortfin squid Figure 58. Northern shortfin squid catch rates (kg/15 minute tow) distribution. 78 Sea pen (Anthoptilum grandiflorum) Figure 59. Sea pen (Anthoptilum grandiflorum) catch rates (nb/15 minute tow) distribution. 79 Sea pen (Halipteris finmarchica) Figure 60. Sea pen (Halipteris finmarchica) catch rates (nb/15 minute tow) distribution. 80 Sea pen (Pennatula aculeata) Figure 61. Sea pen (Pennatula aculeate) catch rates (nb/15 minute tow) distribution. 81 Sea pen (Ptilella grandis) Figure 62. Sea pen (Ptilella grandis) catch rates (nb/15 minute tow) distribution. 82 Total Figure 63. Species richness expressed as the number of species collected per station. Fishes Figure 64. Species richness expressed as the number of species collected per station for the fish grouping. 83 Invertebrates (excluding shrimps) Figure 65. Species richness expressed as the number of species collected by station for the invertebrates grouping excluding the shrimps. Shrimps Figure 66. Species richness expressed as the number of species collected by station for the shrimps grouping. 84 Fish Figure 67. Average weight of fish taxa per 15-minute tow observed during the survey. The colour code represents the anomaly value, which corresponds to the difference between the CPUE in a given year and the average CPUE of the time series for each taxon divided by the standard deviation of this average. 85 Fish Figure 67. Continued. 86 Fish Figure 67. Continued. 87 Invertebrates Figure 68. Average weight of invertebrate taxa per 15-minute tow observed during the survey. The colour code represents the anomaly value, which corresponds to the difference between the CPUE in a given year and the average CPUE of the time series for each taxon divided by the standard deviation of this average. 88 Invertebrates Figure 68. Continued. 89 Invertebrates Figure 68. Continued. 90 Invertebrates Figure 68. Continued. 91 Invertebrates Figure 68. Continued. 92 Invertebrates Figure 68. Continued. 93 Water temperatures in the Gulf Figure 69. Mean temperature profiles observed in each region of the Gulf during the August 2021 survey. The shaded area represents the 1981–2010 climatological monthly mean ± 0.5 SD for August. Mean profiles for August and September 2020 are also shown for comparison. The violet outline on the map shows the area over which sea surface temperature is averaged in figure 70. 94 Water temperatures in the Gulf Figure 70. Water temperatures in the Gulf. Sea-surface temperature averaged over the Estuary and the northern Gulf (see violet outline on map of figure 69) for July–August and May–August (1982–2021) (red lines). Layer-averaged temperature for the Gulf of St. Lawrence at 150 m, 200 m and 300 m (green lines). Cold intermediate layer minimum temperature index in the Gulf of St. Lawrence adjusted to July 15, with the 2021 value estimated only from the August survey data (blue line). 95 APPENDIX Equations of standard estimators of the mean, variance and confidence intervals for a random stratified sampling used for computing annual indices. 𝑁𝑁 = �𝑁𝑁ℎ 𝐿𝐿 ℎ=1 𝑓𝑓ℎ = 𝑛𝑛ℎ 𝑁𝑁ℎ 𝑊𝑊ℎ = 𝑁𝑁ℎ 𝑁𝑁 𝑦𝑦�ℎ = ∑ 𝑦𝑦ℎ𝑖𝑖 𝑛𝑛ℎ 𝑖𝑖=1 𝑛𝑛ℎ 𝑠𝑠ℎ2 = ∑ (𝑦𝑦ℎ𝑖𝑖 − 𝑦𝑦�ℎ)2𝑛𝑛ℎ 𝑖𝑖=1 𝑛𝑛ℎ − 1 𝑦𝑦� = �𝑊𝑊ℎ𝑦𝑦�ℎ) 𝐿𝐿 ℎ=1 𝑠𝑠𝑦𝑦�2 = � 𝑊𝑊ℎ 2𝑠𝑠ℎ2(1 − 𝑓𝑓ℎ) 𝑛𝑛ℎ 𝐿𝐿 ℎ=1 Where L: Total number of strata (h = 1, 2, …, L) 𝑛𝑛ℎ: Stratum h sample size, i.e., total number of sampled units 𝑁𝑁ℎ: Stratum h size (here expressed as the number of trawlable units) 𝑁𝑁: Survey area size 𝑓𝑓ℎ: Sampling fraction in stratum h 𝑊𝑊ℎ: Weight of stratum h 𝑦𝑦ℎ𝑖𝑖: Observation i of stratum h 𝑦𝑦�ℎ: Mean of stratum h 𝑠𝑠ℎ2: Variance of stratum h 𝑦𝑦�: Annual estimate of the mean 𝑠𝑠𝑦𝑦�2: Estimated variance of 𝑦𝑦� With confidence intervals and degrees of freedom given by 𝑦𝑦� −t(α/2,d) 𝑠𝑠𝑦𝑦� < 𝑌𝑌� < 𝑦𝑦� + t(α/2,d) 𝑠𝑠𝑦𝑦� and 𝑑𝑑 = ��𝑎𝑎ℎ𝑠𝑠ℎ2 𝐿𝐿 ℎ=1 � �� �𝑎𝑎ℎ𝑠𝑠ℎ2� 2 (𝑛𝑛ℎ − 1)� 𝐿𝐿 ℎ=1 �� where 𝑎𝑎ℎ = 𝑁𝑁ℎ (𝑁𝑁ℎ − 𝑛𝑛ℎ) 𝑛𝑛ℎ⁄ ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION SURVEY DESCRIPTION DATA ANALYSIS RESULTS BIODIVERSITY Fish Invertebrates PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS REFERENCES CITED TABLES FIGURES APPENDIX