Data Dictionary (English, French, CSV)

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Publisher-reported update

2026-03-24

The data in this layer represents habitat suitability of soft-shelled clams (Mya arenaria) in the DFO Maritimes region, and was developed using an interdepartmental approach. Substrate classification data as well as bathymetric data for the Region were used to identify potential habitat for soft-shelled clams. Substrates identified as suitable included: sand, mud, sand and mud (Greenlaw, 2022). Contours (0m and 70m) from GEBCO bathymetric data were used to isolate depths between which soft-shelled clams are present. At this stage, a polygon reflecting soft substrates from 0-70m was created as "Suitable". A "Not Suitable" layer was similarly created using the substrates: boulders, continuous bedrock, discontinuous bedrock, gravel, mixed sediment, sand and gravel. To digitally validate the model, the Regional shoreline was divided into subsectors (developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada for the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program). Data from DFO (clam harvesting intensity) as well as Conservation and Protection (clam harvesting infraction locations) were used to established species presence within each sub-sector. If there had been any harvesting activity, legal or…

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