Known concentration areas of the Stimpson's surfclam in the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Stimpson's surfclam or Arctic surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) concentration areas in this layer are described as being known and commercially exploited historically and/or currently. The mapping of these areas is based on several sources of information: exploratory fisheries, scientific surveys and fishermen's logbooks. Commercial fishery data come from three distinct sources of information: the purchase receipt, the fishermen's logbook and commercial sampling by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). All data comes from the research document published in 2015. These concentration areas are considered among the most abundant and are used for commercial fishing (note: high densities are not found strictly in these beds).

This dataset does not represent the general distribution of the species nor the extent to which fishing is allowed. The extent of shellfish beds can change over time in response to, among others, harvesting and recruitment rates. The polygons might underestimate the concentration areas because fishing and sampling occur where the target resource is known to be more abundant. However, the precision is good enough for resource protection and management needs in case of an environmental incident. This information is valid until data from a most recent research survey is published.

Data sources and references :

DFO. 2007. Évaluation des stocks de quahog nordique (Arctica islandica) du banc de l'île de Sable et de la baie St. Mary's, et du stock de mactre de Stimpson (Mactromeris polynyma) du Banquereau. Secr. can. de consult. sci. du MPO. Avis sci. 2007/034 (Révisé).

Lambert J. et P. Goudreau. 1997. Biologie et exploitation de la mactre de Stimpson (Mactromeris polynyma) sur les côtes du Québec. Sec. can. éval. stock du MPO. Doc. rech. 1997/101. 44 p.

Landry, T.E., E. Wade, E. et M. Giguère. 1992. Évaluation des gisements de mactre de Stimpson, Mactromeris polynyma, dans le golfe du Saint-Laurent: résultats préliminaires. MPO, CSCPCA Doc. rech. 1992/086. 29 p.

Trottier, S. et P. Goudreau. 2015. Évaluation des stocks de mactre de Stimpson (Mactromeris polynyma) des eaux côtières du Québec en 2014. Secr. can. de consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. de rech. 2016/063. Ix + 72 p.

Données et ressources

Info additionnelle

Champ	Valeur
Dernière modification	avril 17, 2026, 19:53 (TU)
Créé le	avril 17, 2026, 19:53 (TU)
contact_email	gddaiss-dmsaisb@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
contact_person	{"en": "Government of Canada; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Sciences/Direction des avis, information et soutien scientifiques", "fr": "Gouvernement du Canada; Pêches et Océans Canada; Sciences/Scientific Advice, Information and Support Branch"}
criticality_level	[]
data_dictionary	EPSG:3978,http://www.epsg-registry.org,
geographic_scope	[]
open_canada_collection	fgp
open_canada_date_modified	2022-01-01 00:00:00
open_canada_date_published	2019-01-01 00:00:00
open_canada_keywords	{"en": ["Stimpson's surfclam", "urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:156863", "Mactromeris polynyma", "Concentration area", "Arctic surfclam", "Gulf of St. Lawrence", "Estuary of St. Lawrence", "Quebec", "Aquatic wildlife", "Aquatic animals", "Aquatic ecosystems"], "fr": ["Mactre de Stimpson", "urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:156863", "Mactromeris polynyma", "Aire de concentration", "Palourde de Stimpson", "Golfe du Saint-Laurent", "Estuaire du Saint-Laurent", "Québec", "Faune aquatique", "Animal aquatique", "Écosystème aquatique"]}
open_canada_subject	["nature_and_environment", "science_and_technology"]
sensitivity_level	unrestricted
title_fr	Aires de concentration connues de la Mactre de Stimpson dans l'estuaire et le golfe du Saint-Laurent
update_frequency	not_planned