Scientific survey of Icelandic scallop (Chlamys islandica) in the Mingan Archipelago (fishing areas 16E and 16F)

Research surveys targeting Icelandic scallops (Chlamys islandica) have been conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) at one- or two-year intervals in the Mingan Archipelago (since 1990 in fishing area 16E and since 2004 in fishing area 16F). The main objective of this survey is to assess the status of Icelandic scallop stocks.

The study area is situated around the Mingan Archipelago, where scallop beds are sampled at depths ranging from approximately 8 to 136 m, but typically around 40 to 60 m. Sampling is conducted along transects at fixed stations in the study area. Each station is sampled using a lined Digby scallop dredge (20 mm mesh size), towed for roughly 150 m across the seabed.

This publication includes three files: the file biometriePetoncle_16, which contains detailed biometric data (species, size, weights and sex) from 2001 to 2025; the file taillePetoncle_16, which provides the size of the individuals sampled from 2010 to 2024; and the file traitPetoncle_16 which contains the abundances and densities per tow from 2004 to 2024. Data on abundances and densities per tow from 2001-2003 is available upon request.

This dataset is updated every one to two years as data becomes available. A cleaning of aberrant data has been carried out. However, there is missing data in various columns of the dataset – use the data with caution. If you have any questions please contact DFO.DataManagementSAISB-GestionDonneesDAISS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or the author.

For certain time periods, associated species are identified and semi-quantitatively counted directly on the sorting table, and the results are presented in the following publication: - https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/7d29bdb1-7e39-43ee-9fb1-bbf33cc9c9b9

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Last Updated April 17, 2026, 18:26 (UTC)
Created April 17, 2026, 18:26 (UTC)
contact_email Renald.Belley@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
contact_person {"en": "Government of Canada; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Demersal and Benthic Science", "fr": "Gouvernement du Canada; Pêches et Océans Canada; Sciences démersales et benthiques"}
criticality_level []
data_dictionary EPSG:4326,https://epsg.io,
geographic_scope []
open_canada_collection fgp
open_canada_date_published 2025-10-01 00:00:00
open_canada_keywords {"en": ["Scallops", "Sub-area 16E and 16F", "Minganie", "Mingan Archipelago", "Icelandic scallops (Chlamys islandica)", "Marine biology", "Aquatic ecosystems", "Aquatic wildlife", "Fisheries management", "Fisheries", "Oceans"], "fr": ["Pétoncles", "Sous-zone 16E et 16F", "Minganie", "L'Archipel-de-Mingan", "Pétoncle d’Islande (Chlamys islandica)", "Biologie marine", "Écosystème aquatique", "Faune aquatique", "Gestion des pêches", "Pêcheries", "Océan"]}
open_canada_subject ["nature_and_environment", "science_and_technology"]
sensitivity_level unrestricted
title_fr Relevé scientifique sur le pétoncle d'Islande (Chlamys islandica) dans l'archipel de Mingan (zones de pêche 16E et 16F)
update_frequency as_needed