Introduction

This document synthesizes an exploratory ecosystem focused analysis that integrates information derived from oceanographic conditions and ecological indicators, together with 4VWX Silver Hake stock indices. The aim is to provide an initial exploration of how this type of approach can inform our understanding of this stock, for discussion at the Groundfish Update. This document only presents results of analysis, and the interpretation of results can be discussed during the meeting. The longer-term intent of this exercise is to explore how we might more formally take an ecosystem approach to stock assessments. We will not be providing advice to management, but it may inform the advice given in the future.

Note that an important component of this exercise is to make analysis reproducible and available to everyone. Therefore this dynamic document is created using Rmarkdown, and the full code is available in https://github.com/AtlanticR. One of the advantages of this dynamic document is that this report can be reproduced by anyone, and the full document can be updated rapidly as more or different data becomes available or more analysis are implemented.

Analysis

Data included in analysis

Data gathered was standardized using z-scores (distribution with a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1). Below is a list of all indicators used in this analysis (only indices without data gaps are included since the multi-variate analysis used here cannot handle missing values). Data sources for this full suite are summarized at the end of this document.

Var1 Freq
AnnualAvgIceVol_s 46
Biomass_s 46
BiomassFlatfish_s 46
BiomassGadoids_s 46
BiomassSkates_s 46
BottomT_July_s 46
BTGPiscivore_s 46
BTGZoopiscivore_s 46
CCLargeBenthivore_s 46
CCMediumBenthivore_s 46
CCPiscivore_s 46
CCZoopiscivore_s 46
CommunityCondition_s 46
DiversityTargetSpp.L_s 46
FishingPressure.L_s 46
FPClupeids.L_s 46
GreySealPopulation_Model_s 46
Heips_s 46
Intrinsicvulnerabilityindex.L_s 46
InverseCVBiomass_s 46
Landings.L_s 46
LargeFishIndicator_s 46
LFlatfish.L_s 46
LLargePelagic.L_s 46
LSkates.L_s 46
MargalefRichness_s 46
MarineTrophicIndex.L_s 46
MeanLengthAbundance_s 46
MeanLifespan_s 46
MeanTrophicLevel.L_s 46
MeanTrophicLevel_s 46
NAO_s 46
Salinity_s 46
SilverHake.RV_s 46
SilverHakeAge1Abund4VWX.RV_s 46
SilverHakeBiomass4VWX.RV_s 46
StratificationIndex_s 46
TemperatureMeanSurface_s 46

Principal Component Analysis (PCA)

PCA was used to explain the relationship between these indicators and stock indices. Left panel show the annual trend in principal components (PC1 – PC3) scores, including the percentage of variations associated with each PCA. Right panels show the loadings of individual indicators on this PC.

Figure 1. First, second and third Principal Components (PC) results.

Figure 2. Scores for each year on the first two principal components (PC). The percentage amount of variance explained by each principal component is presented in the parenthesis of each axis (Dim 1 and Dim 2). Both figures are the same; the only difference is that the panel below plots the specific year for each symbol. This figures highlights that the system has changed since 1970, and has kept changing for the past 5 years.

Figure 3. Scores for each indicator on the first two principal components (PC). The percentage amount of variance explained by each principal component is presented in the parenthesis of each axis (Dim 1 and Dim 2). Higher values highlighted in orange show indicators that have relatively large loadings (contributions) on the PC. Variables that are close to the center of the plot (darker colours) are less important for the two principal components. This information is similar to that in Figure 1, for the first two principal components.

Ecosystem scorecard

Heatmaps were used to provide a graphical representation of trends in the indicators over time. Individual values are represented by colors, where blue is high negative and red is high positive. For comparison two heatmaps are presented. In the first heatmap, a dendrogram is used to order indicators according with their similarities. In the second heatmap, indicators are ordered according with first PC loadings as per Figure 1.

Figure 4. Anomalies of indicators. In the top panel, a dendrogram is used to order indicators according with their similarities. In the bottom panel, Indicators are ordered for display according to their first principal component loadings (as per Figure 1).

Hierarchical Cluster Analysis

Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to statistically classify indicators into clusters based on their dissimilarities. Euclidean distance and the complete agglomeration method were used, and results are displayed as a dendrogram. Distance between indicators and the height of the branches in the dendrograms provide information about the dissimilarity among indicators (i.e. the greater the distance between indicators and the height of their branches, the greater the difference between indicators).

Figure 5. Dendrogram of indicators on results from Hierarchical Cluster Analysis using the Euclidean distance and complete agglomeration method. To assess the uncertainty, and to evaluate how strongly the clusters were supported by data, Approximately Unbiased (AU) p-values were calculated via multiscale bootstrap resampling (1000 replications) (Suzuki and Shimodaira 2013). Clusters of similar indicators and AU p-values ≥ 95 are highlighted by green rectangles.

The following exploratory figures show results of hierarchical cluster analysis using the euclidean distance and complete agglomeration method, but then selecting two cut values to separate clusters (k = 3, and k = 4). Figure 6. Dendrogram showing the dissimilarity among years (left panel k= 3, right panel k = 4).

Figure 7. Right panel is dendrogram cut into 4 clusters. Left panels show indicators in each of the clusters of the dendrograms. Indicators are plotted using standardized data as well as loess smoothing.

Figure 8. Time-series of indicators included in this analysis, and grouped according to clusters in Figure 7. Indicators are plotted using standardized data as well as loess smoothing.

Spearman rank correlation results

Spearman rank-correlation correlation results of the full suite of indicators used in this analysis. Note that you cam copy/paste this output to excel for easier visualization if necessary.

Table 1. Spearman rank correlation coefficients (r)

MargalefRichness_s Heips_s LargeFishIndicator_s BTGZoopiscivore_s BTGPiscivore_s Biomass_s BiomassSkates_s BiomassFlatfish_s MeanLengthAbundance_s MeanTrophicLevel_s BiomassGadoids_s CommunityCondition_s CCMediumBenthivore_s CCPiscivore_s CCZoopiscivore_s CCLargeBenthivore_s MeanLifespan_s Intrinsicvulnerabilityindex.L_s InverseCVBiomass_s MeanTrophicLevel.L_s MarineTrophicIndex.L_s DiversityTargetSpp.L_s FishingPressure.L_s FPClupeids.L_s Landings.L_s LSkates.L_s LFlatfish.L_s LLargePelagic.L_s GreySealPopulation_Model_s BottomT_July_s NAO_s AnnualAvgIceVol_s StratificationIndex_s TemperatureMeanSurface_s Salinity_s SilverHake.RV_s SilverHakeAge1Abund4VWX.RV_s SilverHakeBiomass4VWX.RV_s
MargalefRichness_s 1.00 0.18 0.23 0.73 -0.08 -0.15 0.30 0.61 -0.58 0.05 0.27 -0.17 0.25 -0.23 -0.03 -0.64 0.59 0.64 -0.56 -0.83 -0.67 0.61 -0.42 0.02 -0.83 -0.19 -0.58 0.00 0.96 0.32 0.06 -0.25 0.46 0.59 -0.11 0.38 0.47 -0.02
Heips_s 0.18 1.00 0.52 0.02 0.31 -0.53 -0.28 0.30 -0.19 0.25 -0.14 -0.50 -0.10 -0.20 -0.40 -0.40 0.40 0.41 0.06 -0.41 -0.06 0.68 0.26 0.73 -0.32 -0.26 -0.30 0.26 0.29 -0.07 -0.01 -0.14 0.45 0.09 -0.37 -0.06 0.00 -0.35
LargeFishIndicator_s 0.23 0.52 1.00 -0.14 0.56 -0.33 -0.03 0.48 0.01 0.38 0.07 -0.48 -0.06 -0.36 -0.33 -0.07 0.23 0.26 0.07 -0.34 -0.15 0.54 0.16 0.55 -0.29 -0.21 -0.23 -0.01 0.26 -0.16 -0.42 -0.34 0.32 0.04 -0.15 0.00 0.03 -0.37
BTGZoopiscivore_s 0.73 0.02 -0.14 1.00 -0.19 0.17 0.34 0.44 -0.53 0.01 0.32 0.00 0.24 -0.13 0.16 -0.54 0.59 0.37 -0.56 -0.49 -0.36 0.37 -0.58 -0.23 -0.63 -0.11 -0.40 -0.11 0.68 0.24 0.18 -0.03 0.31 0.49 -0.06 0.44 0.40 0.10
BTGPiscivore_s -0.08 0.31 0.56 -0.19 1.00 -0.03 -0.28 0.03 0.10 0.71 0.02 -0.12 -0.25 -0.19 -0.12 0.12 0.11 0.25 -0.02 -0.07 0.21 0.28 -0.03 0.24 0.00 -0.20 0.07 -0.01 -0.03 -0.14 -0.18 -0.22 0.00 -0.28 -0.04 -0.20 0.09 -0.17
Biomass_s -0.15 -0.53 -0.33 0.17 -0.03 1.00 0.17 0.02 0.19 -0.30 0.32 0.18 -0.14 0.27 0.04 0.23 -0.15 -0.24 -0.07 0.45 0.31 -0.49 -0.68 -0.65 0.24 0.13 0.38 -0.10 -0.29 0.08 -0.20 0.10 -0.29 -0.09 0.08 0.24 -0.02 0.46
BiomassSkates_s 0.30 -0.28 -0.03 0.34 -0.28 0.17 1.00 0.15 0.05 -0.16 0.27 0.15 0.26 -0.14 0.23 -0.25 0.12 -0.18 -0.12 -0.02 -0.42 -0.10 -0.28 -0.14 -0.16 0.44 -0.31 -0.01 0.25 0.07 -0.02 0.09 -0.01 0.18 0.15 0.27 0.08 -0.02
BiomassFlatfish_s 0.61 0.30 0.48 0.44 0.03 0.02 0.15 1.00 -0.26 -0.07 0.18 -0.35 0.13 -0.07 -0.21 -0.39 0.50 0.42 -0.37 -0.53 -0.33 0.51 -0.26 0.16 -0.46 -0.28 -0.25 0.02 0.57 0.02 -0.14 -0.16 0.39 0.44 -0.12 0.29 0.21 -0.01
MeanLengthAbundance_s -0.58 -0.19 0.01 -0.53 0.10 0.19 0.05 -0.26 1.00 -0.07 0.07 0.01 -0.20 0.31 0.03 0.55 -0.55 -0.45 0.46 0.58 0.38 -0.50 0.18 -0.12 0.56 0.32 0.38 -0.11 -0.58 -0.22 -0.14 0.12 -0.32 -0.32 0.19 -0.18 -0.33 0.12
MeanTrophicLevel_s 0.05 0.25 0.38 0.01 0.71 -0.30 -0.16 -0.07 -0.07 1.00 -0.01 -0.21 -0.20 -0.35 -0.13 0.02 -0.02 0.28 -0.23 -0.20 0.09 0.30 0.21 0.25 -0.03 -0.04 -0.11 -0.24 0.15 0.02 0.17 -0.11 -0.05 -0.14 0.12 0.05 0.12 -0.16
BiomassGadoids_s 0.27 -0.14 0.07 0.32 0.02 0.32 0.27 0.18 0.07 -0.01 1.00 -0.11 0.19 -0.05 -0.25 0.05 -0.28 0.14 0.01 -0.17 -0.14 0.00 -0.42 -0.31 -0.19 -0.12 0.14 -0.14 0.24 0.32 -0.19 0.04 -0.04 0.16 0.27 0.79 0.18 0.40
CommunityCondition_s -0.17 -0.50 -0.48 0.00 -0.12 0.18 0.15 -0.35 0.01 -0.21 -0.11 1.00 0.37 0.04 0.73 0.06 0.02 -0.32 0.06 0.30 -0.09 -0.42 -0.19 -0.44 0.10 0.02 0.07 0.12 -0.22 -0.06 -0.07 -0.05 -0.24 -0.06 0.14 -0.28 -0.08 0.07
CCMediumBenthivore_s 0.25 -0.10 -0.06 0.24 -0.25 -0.14 0.26 0.13 -0.20 -0.20 0.19 0.37 1.00 -0.31 0.38 -0.14 0.14 0.02 0.07 -0.21 -0.39 0.17 -0.05 -0.15 -0.31 -0.07 -0.23 -0.09 0.27 0.20 -0.08 0.09 -0.01 0.09 0.22 0.04 0.13 0.05
CCPiscivore_s -0.23 -0.20 -0.36 -0.13 -0.19 0.27 -0.14 -0.07 0.31 -0.35 -0.05 0.04 -0.31 1.00 -0.08 0.23 -0.26 -0.02 0.17 0.31 0.44 -0.37 0.01 -0.23 0.40 0.01 0.57 0.14 -0.27 -0.08 0.03 0.38 -0.15 -0.08 0.15 -0.16 -0.16 0.15
CCZoopiscivore_s -0.03 -0.40 -0.33 0.16 -0.12 0.04 0.23 -0.21 0.03 -0.13 -0.25 0.73 0.38 -0.08 1.00 0.02 0.25 -0.31 -0.13 0.18 -0.19 -0.26 -0.16 -0.34 -0.04 0.15 -0.22 -0.07 -0.07 -0.09 0.04 -0.14 -0.19 -0.07 0.14 -0.43 0.03 -0.05
CCLargeBenthivore_s -0.64 -0.40 -0.07 -0.54 0.12 0.23 -0.25 -0.39 0.55 0.02 0.05 0.06 -0.14 0.23 0.02 1.00 -0.60 -0.37 0.35 0.54 0.59 -0.57 0.22 -0.25 0.60 0.12 0.59 -0.40 -0.66 -0.11 -0.14 0.21 -0.57 -0.57 0.28 -0.19 -0.19 0.30
MeanLifespan_s 0.59 0.40 0.23 0.59 0.11 -0.15 0.12 0.50 -0.55 -0.02 -0.28 0.02 0.14 -0.26 0.25 -0.60 1.00 0.37 -0.40 -0.52 -0.37 0.60 -0.31 0.29 -0.64 -0.22 -0.56 0.24 0.58 -0.06 0.05 -0.19 0.47 0.30 -0.38 -0.19 0.36 -0.31
Intrinsicvulnerabilityindex.L_s 0.64 0.41 0.26 0.37 0.25 -0.24 -0.18 0.42 -0.45 0.28 0.14 -0.32 0.02 -0.02 -0.31 -0.37 0.37 1.00 -0.37 -0.77 -0.29 0.74 -0.08 0.28 -0.52 -0.40 -0.33 0.08 0.71 0.19 0.13 -0.09 0.46 0.37 -0.11 0.21 0.50 -0.07
InverseCVBiomass_s -0.56 0.06 0.07 -0.56 -0.02 -0.07 -0.12 -0.37 0.46 -0.23 0.01 0.06 0.07 0.17 -0.13 0.35 -0.40 -0.37 1.00 0.41 0.27 -0.29 0.29 0.10 0.35 -0.13 0.40 0.21 -0.50 -0.09 -0.29 0.13 -0.17 -0.31 0.07 -0.20 -0.28 -0.11
MeanTrophicLevel.L_s -0.83 -0.41 -0.34 -0.49 -0.07 0.45 -0.02 -0.53 0.58 -0.20 -0.17 0.30 -0.21 0.31 0.18 0.54 -0.52 -0.77 0.41 1.00 0.61 -0.82 0.07 -0.34 0.73 0.35 0.56 -0.04 -0.91 -0.21 -0.16 0.20 -0.51 -0.49 0.09 -0.28 -0.50 0.20
MarineTrophicIndex.L_s -0.67 -0.06 -0.15 -0.36 0.21 0.31 -0.42 -0.33 0.38 0.09 -0.14 -0.09 -0.39 0.44 -0.19 0.59 -0.37 -0.29 0.27 0.61 1.00 -0.40 0.14 -0.15 0.64 0.15 0.70 0.00 -0.68 -0.15 0.11 0.31 -0.34 -0.50 -0.05 -0.17 -0.35 0.18
DiversityTargetSpp.L_s 0.61 0.68 0.54 0.37 0.28 -0.49 -0.10 0.51 -0.50 0.30 0.00 -0.42 0.17 -0.37 -0.26 -0.57 0.60 0.74 -0.29 -0.82 -0.40 1.00 0.08 0.61 -0.64 -0.32 -0.60 0.19 0.73 0.01 0.08 -0.13 0.55 0.30 -0.21 0.09 0.39 -0.36
FishingPressure.L_s -0.42 0.26 0.16 -0.58 -0.03 -0.68 -0.28 -0.26 0.18 0.21 -0.42 -0.19 -0.05 0.01 -0.16 0.22 -0.31 -0.08 0.29 0.07 0.14 0.08 1.00 0.64 0.48 0.08 0.06 0.07 -0.28 -0.31 0.11 0.28 -0.07 -0.28 0.17 -0.33 -0.21 -0.38
FPClupeids.L_s 0.02 0.73 0.55 -0.23 0.24 -0.65 -0.14 0.16 -0.12 0.25 -0.31 -0.44 -0.15 -0.23 -0.34 -0.25 0.29 0.28 0.10 -0.34 -0.15 0.61 0.64 1.00 -0.04 -0.12 -0.35 0.34 0.15 -0.27 0.01 0.07 0.34 -0.05 -0.16 -0.19 0.01 -0.50
Landings.L_s -0.83 -0.32 -0.29 -0.63 0.00 0.24 -0.16 -0.46 0.56 -0.03 -0.19 0.10 -0.31 0.40 -0.04 0.60 -0.64 -0.52 0.35 0.73 0.64 -0.64 0.48 -0.04 1.00 0.32 0.62 0.00 -0.82 -0.23 0.06 0.44 -0.54 -0.52 0.33 -0.25 -0.39 0.04
LSkates.L_s -0.19 -0.26 -0.21 -0.11 -0.20 0.13 0.44 -0.28 0.32 -0.04 -0.12 0.02 -0.07 0.01 0.15 0.12 -0.22 -0.40 -0.13 0.35 0.15 -0.32 0.08 -0.12 0.32 1.00 -0.10 -0.06 -0.22 0.10 0.14 0.27 -0.31 -0.20 0.05 -0.08 -0.24 -0.02
LFlatfish.L_s -0.58 -0.30 -0.23 -0.40 0.07 0.38 -0.31 -0.25 0.38 -0.11 0.14 0.07 -0.23 0.57 -0.22 0.59 -0.56 -0.33 0.40 0.56 0.70 -0.60 0.06 -0.35 0.62 -0.10 1.00 -0.07 -0.63 -0.08 -0.02 0.28 -0.33 -0.33 0.13 0.00 -0.23 0.29
LLargePelagic.L_s 0.00 0.26 -0.01 -0.11 -0.01 -0.10 -0.01 0.02 -0.11 -0.24 -0.14 0.12 -0.09 0.14 -0.07 -0.40 0.24 0.08 0.21 -0.04 0.00 0.19 0.07 0.34 0.00 -0.06 -0.07 1.00 0.03 -0.01 -0.06 0.12 0.15 -0.02 -0.24 -0.11 -0.01 -0.18
GreySealPopulation_Model_s 0.96 0.29 0.26 0.68 -0.03 -0.29 0.25 0.57 -0.58 0.15 0.24 -0.22 0.27 -0.27 -0.07 -0.66 0.58 0.71 -0.50 -0.91 -0.68 0.73 -0.28 0.15 -0.82 -0.22 -0.63 0.03 1.00 0.27 0.10 -0.20 0.49 0.55 -0.10 0.35 0.52 -0.10
BottomT_July_s 0.32 -0.07 -0.16 0.24 -0.14 0.08 0.07 0.02 -0.22 0.02 0.32 -0.06 0.20 -0.08 -0.09 -0.11 -0.06 0.19 -0.09 -0.21 -0.15 0.01 -0.31 -0.27 -0.23 0.10 -0.08 -0.01 0.27 1.00 0.23 0.04 -0.10 0.27 0.11 0.32 0.11 0.25
NAO_s 0.06 -0.01 -0.42 0.18 -0.18 -0.20 -0.02 -0.14 -0.14 0.17 -0.19 -0.07 -0.08 0.03 0.04 -0.14 0.05 0.13 -0.29 -0.16 0.11 0.08 0.11 0.01 0.06 0.14 -0.02 -0.06 0.10 0.23 1.00 0.15 0.08 0.16 0.02 -0.01 0.13 0.01
AnnualAvgIceVol_s -0.25 -0.14 -0.34 -0.03 -0.22 0.10 0.09 -0.16 0.12 -0.11 0.04 -0.05 0.09 0.38 -0.14 0.21 -0.19 -0.09 0.13 0.20 0.31 -0.13 0.28 0.07 0.44 0.27 0.28 0.12 -0.20 0.04 0.15 1.00 -0.40 -0.43 0.43 0.03 -0.01 0.03
StratificationIndex_s 0.46 0.45 0.32 0.31 0.00 -0.29 -0.01 0.39 -0.32 -0.05 -0.04 -0.24 -0.01 -0.15 -0.19 -0.57 0.47 0.46 -0.17 -0.51 -0.34 0.55 -0.07 0.34 -0.54 -0.31 -0.33 0.15 0.49 -0.10 0.08 -0.40 1.00 0.71 -0.62 0.13 0.10 -0.27
TemperatureMeanSurface_s 0.59 0.09 0.04 0.49 -0.28 -0.09 0.18 0.44 -0.32 -0.14 0.16 -0.06 0.09 -0.08 -0.07 -0.57 0.30 0.37 -0.31 -0.49 -0.50 0.30 -0.28 -0.05 -0.52 -0.20 -0.33 -0.02 0.55 0.27 0.16 -0.43 0.71 1.00 -0.20 0.39 0.11 0.00
Salinity_s -0.11 -0.37 -0.15 -0.06 -0.04 0.08 0.15 -0.12 0.19 0.12 0.27 0.14 0.22 0.15 0.14 0.28 -0.38 -0.11 0.07 0.09 -0.05 -0.21 0.17 -0.16 0.33 0.05 0.13 -0.24 -0.10 0.11 0.02 0.43 -0.62 -0.20 1.00 0.14 0.02 0.06
SilverHake.RV_s 0.38 -0.06 0.00 0.44 -0.20 0.24 0.27 0.29 -0.18 0.05 0.79 -0.28 0.04 -0.16 -0.43 -0.19 -0.19 0.21 -0.20 -0.28 -0.17 0.09 -0.33 -0.19 -0.25 -0.08 0.00 -0.11 0.35 0.32 -0.01 0.03 0.13 0.39 0.14 1.00 0.16 0.38
SilverHakeAge1Abund4VWX.RV_s 0.47 0.00 0.03 0.40 0.09 -0.02 0.08 0.21 -0.33 0.12 0.18 -0.08 0.13 -0.16 0.03 -0.19 0.36 0.50 -0.28 -0.50 -0.35 0.39 -0.21 0.01 -0.39 -0.24 -0.23 -0.01 0.52 0.11 0.13 -0.01 0.10 0.11 0.02 0.16 1.00 0.04
SilverHakeBiomass4VWX.RV_s -0.02 -0.35 -0.37 0.10 -0.17 0.46 -0.02 -0.01 0.12 -0.16 0.40 0.07 0.05 0.15 -0.05 0.30 -0.31 -0.07 -0.11 0.20 0.18 -0.36 -0.38 -0.50 0.04 -0.02 0.29 -0.18 -0.10 0.25 0.01 0.03 -0.27 0.00 0.06 0.38 0.04 1.00

Table 2. p-values of the Spearman rank correlations

MargalefRichness_s Heips_s LargeFishIndicator_s BTGZoopiscivore_s BTGPiscivore_s Biomass_s BiomassSkates_s BiomassFlatfish_s MeanLengthAbundance_s MeanTrophicLevel_s BiomassGadoids_s CommunityCondition_s CCMediumBenthivore_s CCPiscivore_s CCZoopiscivore_s CCLargeBenthivore_s MeanLifespan_s Intrinsicvulnerabilityindex.L_s InverseCVBiomass_s MeanTrophicLevel.L_s MarineTrophicIndex.L_s DiversityTargetSpp.L_s FishingPressure.L_s FPClupeids.L_s Landings.L_s LSkates.L_s LFlatfish.L_s LLargePelagic.L_s GreySealPopulation_Model_s BottomT_July_s NAO_s AnnualAvgIceVol_s StratificationIndex_s TemperatureMeanSurface_s Salinity_s SilverHake.RV_s SilverHakeAge1Abund4VWX.RV_s SilverHakeBiomass4VWX.RV_s
MargalefRichness_s NA 0.23 0.13 0.00 0.58 0.31 0.04 0.00 0.00 0.72 0.07 0.27 0.09 0.13 0.84 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.88 0.00 0.21 0.00 0.99 0.00 0.03 0.69 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.45 0.01 0.00 0.88
Heips_s 0.23 NA 0.00 0.89 0.03 0.00 0.06 0.04 0.20 0.09 0.34 0.00 0.52 0.18 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.72 0.01 0.68 0.00 0.08 0.00 0.03 0.08 0.05 0.08 0.05 0.65 0.95 0.36 0.00 0.54 0.01 0.70 0.98 0.02
LargeFishIndicator_s 0.13 0.00 NA 0.36 0.00 0.02 0.82 0.00 0.95 0.01 0.65 0.00 0.69 0.01 0.02 0.65 0.13 0.08 0.65 0.02 0.32 0.00 0.28 0.00 0.05 0.17 0.12 0.96 0.08 0.29 0.00 0.02 0.03 0.77 0.30 0.98 0.84 0.01
BTGZoopiscivore_s 0.00 0.89 0.36 NA 0.20 0.25 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.94 0.03 0.98 0.10 0.38 0.28 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.13 0.00 0.48 0.01 0.47 0.00 0.10 0.22 0.86 0.04 0.00 0.70 0.00 0.01 0.49
BTGPiscivore_s 0.58 0.03 0.00 0.20 NA 0.83 0.06 0.82 0.52 0.00 0.91 0.41 0.10 0.21 0.42 0.41 0.45 0.10 0.91 0.66 0.16 0.06 0.87 0.10 1.00 0.19 0.63 0.97 0.85 0.35 0.24 0.15 0.98 0.06 0.79 0.18 0.56 0.26
Biomass_s 0.31 0.00 0.02 0.25 0.83 NA 0.26 0.90 0.21 0.04 0.03 0.24 0.34 0.07 0.77 0.13 0.31 0.10 0.66 0.00 0.04 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.11 0.39 0.01 0.52 0.05 0.59 0.19 0.51 0.05 0.56 0.58 0.11 0.87 0.00
BiomassSkates_s 0.04 0.06 0.82 0.02 0.06 0.26 NA 0.31 0.74 0.30 0.06 0.31 0.08 0.36 0.12 0.09 0.43 0.23 0.41 0.88 0.00 0.51 0.06 0.36 0.30 0.00 0.04 0.94 0.09 0.65 0.88 0.56 0.97 0.24 0.32 0.07 0.58 0.91
BiomassFlatfish_s 0.00 0.04 0.00 0.00 0.82 0.90 0.31 NA 0.09 0.64 0.23 0.02 0.39 0.64 0.17 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.09 0.29 0.00 0.06 0.09 0.92 0.00 0.89 0.35 0.28 0.01 0.00 0.43 0.05 0.16 0.97
MeanLengthAbundance_s 0.00 0.20 0.95 0.00 0.52 0.21 0.74 0.09 NA 0.64 0.64 0.96 0.18 0.03 0.85 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.24 0.42 0.00 0.03 0.01 0.45 0.00 0.14 0.35 0.44 0.03 0.03 0.21 0.22 0.03 0.42
MeanTrophicLevel_s 0.72 0.09 0.01 0.94 0.00 0.04 0.30 0.64 0.64 NA 0.95 0.16 0.18 0.02 0.40 0.90 0.89 0.06 0.12 0.18 0.53 0.05 0.17 0.09 0.84 0.79 0.48 0.11 0.32 0.91 0.27 0.45 0.75 0.37 0.43 0.75 0.43 0.29
BiomassGadoids_s 0.07 0.34 0.65 0.03 0.91 0.03 0.06 0.23 0.64 0.95 NA 0.46 0.20 0.75 0.10 0.76 0.06 0.35 0.95 0.27 0.36 0.99 0.00 0.04 0.21 0.44 0.35 0.35 0.11 0.03 0.20 0.78 0.79 0.28 0.07 0.00 0.23 0.01
CommunityCondition_s 0.27 0.00 0.00 0.98 0.41 0.24 0.31 0.02 0.96 0.16 0.46 NA 0.01 0.81 0.00 0.71 0.87 0.03 0.69 0.04 0.56 0.00 0.20 0.00 0.52 0.89 0.67 0.41 0.14 0.70 0.63 0.75 0.10 0.71 0.35 0.06 0.60 0.65
CCMediumBenthivore_s 0.09 0.52 0.69 0.10 0.10 0.34 0.08 0.39 0.18 0.18 0.20 0.01 NA 0.04 0.01 0.37 0.34 0.88 0.66 0.16 0.01 0.25 0.74 0.31 0.04 0.64 0.12 0.54 0.07 0.18 0.61 0.55 0.96 0.54 0.14 0.78 0.40 0.72
CCPiscivore_s 0.13 0.18 0.01 0.38 0.21 0.07 0.36 0.64 0.03 0.02 0.75 0.81 0.04 NA 0.60 0.12 0.09 0.88 0.25 0.04 0.00 0.01 0.93 0.12 0.01 0.93 0.00 0.34 0.07 0.60 0.86 0.01 0.33 0.58 0.32 0.29 0.28 0.32
CCZoopiscivore_s 0.84 0.01 0.02 0.28 0.42 0.77 0.12 0.17 0.85 0.40 0.10 0.00 0.01 0.60 NA 0.91 0.10 0.04 0.38 0.24 0.20 0.08 0.28 0.02 0.78 0.33 0.14 0.64 0.66 0.54 0.78 0.37 0.20 0.64 0.34 0.00 0.85 0.74
CCLargeBenthivore_s 0.00 0.01 0.65 0.00 0.41 0.13 0.09 0.01 0.00 0.90 0.76 0.71 0.37 0.12 0.91 NA 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.14 0.09 0.00 0.42 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.49 0.34 0.17 0.00 0.00 0.06 0.22 0.20 0.05
MeanLifespan_s 0.00 0.01 0.13 0.00 0.45 0.31 0.43 0.00 0.00 0.89 0.06 0.87 0.34 0.09 0.10 0.00 NA 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.04 0.05 0.00 0.13 0.00 0.11 0.00 0.68 0.73 0.19 0.00 0.04 0.01 0.20 0.01 0.04
Intrinsicvulnerabilityindex.L_s 0.00 0.00 0.08 0.01 0.10 0.10 0.23 0.00 0.00 0.06 0.35 0.03 0.88 0.88 0.04 0.01 0.01 NA 0.01 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.60 0.06 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.59 0.00 0.21 0.37 0.57 0.00 0.01 0.47 0.16 0.00 0.65
InverseCVBiomass_s 0.00 0.72 0.65 0.00 0.91 0.66 0.41 0.01 0.00 0.12 0.95 0.69 0.66 0.25 0.38 0.02 0.01 0.01 NA 0.00 0.07 0.05 0.05 0.51 0.02 0.38 0.01 0.15 0.00 0.55 0.05 0.38 0.27 0.04 0.66 0.19 0.06 0.49
MeanTrophicLevel.L_s 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.00 0.66 0.00 0.88 0.00 0.00 0.18 0.27 0.04 0.16 0.04 0.24 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 NA 0.00 0.00 0.64 0.02 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.77 0.00 0.17 0.29 0.19 0.00 0.00 0.56 0.06 0.00 0.19
MarineTrophicIndex.L_s 0.00 0.68 0.32 0.01 0.16 0.04 0.00 0.03 0.01 0.53 0.36 0.56 0.01 0.00 0.20 0.00 0.01 0.05 0.07 0.00 NA 0.01 0.35 0.31 0.00 0.33 0.00 0.98 0.00 0.32 0.46 0.03 0.02 0.00 0.74 0.25 0.02 0.23
DiversityTargetSpp.L_s 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.06 0.00 0.51 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.99 0.00 0.25 0.01 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.01 NA 0.61 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.22 0.00 0.96 0.62 0.41 0.00 0.04 0.16 0.56 0.01 0.02
FishingPressure.L_s 0.00 0.08 0.28 0.00 0.87 0.00 0.06 0.09 0.24 0.17 0.00 0.20 0.74 0.93 0.28 0.14 0.04 0.60 0.05 0.64 0.35 0.61 NA 0.00 0.00 0.60 0.71 0.64 0.06 0.04 0.46 0.06 0.62 0.06 0.25 0.02 0.16 0.01
FPClupeids.L_s 0.88 0.00 0.00 0.13 0.10 0.00 0.36 0.29 0.42 0.09 0.04 0.00 0.31 0.12 0.02 0.09 0.05 0.06 0.51 0.02 0.31 0.00 0.00 NA 0.80 0.44 0.02 0.02 0.30 0.07 0.92 0.64 0.02 0.75 0.28 0.19 0.97 0.00
Landings.L_s 0.00 0.03 0.05 0.00 1.00 0.11 0.30 0.00 0.00 0.84 0.21 0.52 0.04 0.01 0.78 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.80 NA 0.03 0.00 0.99 0.00 0.13 0.70 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.10 0.01 0.78
LSkates.L_s 0.21 0.08 0.17 0.48 0.19 0.39 0.00 0.06 0.03 0.79 0.44 0.89 0.64 0.93 0.33 0.42 0.13 0.01 0.38 0.02 0.33 0.03 0.60 0.44 0.03 NA 0.52 0.70 0.14 0.52 0.34 0.07 0.04 0.17 0.74 0.61 0.11 0.88
LFlatfish.L_s 0.00 0.05 0.12 0.01 0.63 0.01 0.04 0.09 0.01 0.48 0.35 0.67 0.12 0.00 0.14 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.71 0.02 0.00 0.52 NA 0.63 0.00 0.60 0.91 0.06 0.02 0.02 0.38 1.00 0.13 0.05
LLargePelagic.L_s 0.99 0.08 0.96 0.47 0.97 0.52 0.94 0.92 0.45 0.11 0.35 0.41 0.54 0.34 0.64 0.01 0.11 0.59 0.15 0.77 0.98 0.22 0.64 0.02 0.99 0.70 0.63 NA 0.84 0.93 0.69 0.44 0.33 0.88 0.10 0.46 0.93 0.24
GreySealPopulation_Model_s 0.00 0.05 0.08 0.00 0.85 0.05 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.32 0.11 0.14 0.07 0.07 0.66 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.06 0.30 0.00 0.14 0.00 0.84 NA 0.07 0.50 0.18 0.00 0.00 0.52 0.02 0.00 0.50
BottomT_July_s 0.03 0.65 0.29 0.10 0.35 0.59 0.65 0.89 0.14 0.91 0.03 0.70 0.18 0.60 0.54 0.49 0.68 0.21 0.55 0.17 0.32 0.96 0.04 0.07 0.13 0.52 0.60 0.93 0.07 NA 0.13 0.77 0.52 0.07 0.47 0.03 0.46 0.09
NAO_s 0.69 0.95 0.00 0.22 0.24 0.19 0.88 0.35 0.35 0.27 0.20 0.63 0.61 0.86 0.78 0.34 0.73 0.37 0.05 0.29 0.46 0.62 0.46 0.92 0.70 0.34 0.91 0.69 0.50 0.13 NA 0.32 0.61 0.28 0.92 0.94 0.39 0.96
AnnualAvgIceVol_s 0.09 0.36 0.02 0.86 0.15 0.51 0.56 0.28 0.44 0.45 0.78 0.75 0.55 0.01 0.37 0.17 0.19 0.57 0.38 0.19 0.03 0.41 0.06 0.64 0.00 0.07 0.06 0.44 0.18 0.77 0.32 NA 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.82 0.94 0.82
StratificationIndex_s 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.04 0.98 0.05 0.97 0.01 0.03 0.75 0.79 0.10 0.96 0.33 0.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.27 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.62 0.02 0.00 0.04 0.02 0.33 0.00 0.52 0.61 0.01 NA 0.00 0.00 0.39 0.53 0.07
TemperatureMeanSurface_s 0.00 0.54 0.77 0.00 0.06 0.56 0.24 0.00 0.03 0.37 0.28 0.71 0.54 0.58 0.64 0.00 0.04 0.01 0.04 0.00 0.00 0.04 0.06 0.75 0.00 0.17 0.02 0.88 0.00 0.07 0.28 0.00 0.00 NA 0.19 0.01 0.46 0.98
Salinity_s 0.45 0.01 0.30 0.70 0.79 0.58 0.32 0.43 0.21 0.43 0.07 0.35 0.14 0.32 0.34 0.06 0.01 0.47 0.66 0.56 0.74 0.16 0.25 0.28 0.02 0.74 0.38 0.10 0.52 0.47 0.92 0.00 0.00 0.19 NA 0.37 0.91 0.70
SilverHake.RV_s 0.01 0.70 0.98 0.00 0.18 0.11 0.07 0.05 0.22 0.75 0.00 0.06 0.78 0.29 0.00 0.22 0.20 0.16 0.19 0.06 0.25 0.56 0.02 0.19 0.10 0.61 1.00 0.46 0.02 0.03 0.94 0.82 0.39 0.01 0.37 NA 0.29 0.01
SilverHakeAge1Abund4VWX.RV_s 0.00 0.98 0.84 0.01 0.56 0.87 0.58 0.16 0.03 0.43 0.23 0.60 0.40 0.28 0.85 0.20 0.01 0.00 0.06 0.00 0.02 0.01 0.16 0.97 0.01 0.11 0.13 0.93 0.00 0.46 0.39 0.94 0.53 0.46 0.91 0.29 NA 0.79
SilverHakeBiomass4VWX.RV_s 0.88 0.02 0.01 0.49 0.26 0.00 0.91 0.97 0.42 0.29 0.01 0.65 0.72 0.32 0.74 0.05 0.04 0.65 0.49 0.19 0.23 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.78 0.88 0.05 0.24 0.50 0.09 0.96 0.82 0.07 0.98 0.70 0.01 0.79 NA

Data Sources

This document uses data from the following sources/contributors:

Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program (AZMP)

Biological, chemical, and physical data in Maritimes region were provided by C. Johnson and D. Hebert. We used metrics from the standard AZMP scorecards in the AZMP Research Document (Figs. 17 & 31: Browns Bank Line). D. Hebert provided metrics used in the AZMP Research Document, including the 2017 multi-species (groundfish) survey (4X ofr Bottom T, SST_anomalies for WSS, and shelf scale for others indices).

Johnson, C., Devred, E., Casault, B., Head, E., and Spry, J. 2017. Optical, Chemical, and Biological Oceanographic Conditions on the Scotian Shelf and in the Eastern Gulf of Maine in 2016. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2017/xxx. v + 54 p. http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/ResDocs-DocRech/2017/2017_012-eng.html

Hebert, D., Pettipas, R., Brickman, D., and Dever, M. 2015. Meteorological, Sea Ice and Physical Oceanographic Conditions on the Scotian Shelf and in the Gulf of Maine during. 2014. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2015/040. v + 49 p. http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/mpo-dfo/Fs70-5-2015-040-eng.pdf

Ecological indicators

Bundy A, Gomez C, Cook A. 2017. Guidance framework for the selection and evaluation of ecological indicators. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. In press.

Sable Grey Seal population numbers

For internal use for the moment. Note that Sable accounts for 95% of Grey seals on Scotian Shelf Nell.denHeyer@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Stock Indices from Maritimes Region

  • 4X5Yb Cod: Irene Andrushchenko
  • 4X5Yb Haddock: Monica Finley
  • 4Xopqrs5 Pollock: Ryan Martin
  • 4VWX5Z Cusk: Don Clark
  • RV Survey: Don Clark
  • 3NOPS4VWX5ZC Halibut: Nell den Heyer and Brendan Wringe
  • 4VWX Silver Hake: Mark Showell until January, then Irene Andrushchenko

A note about indicator names

Depending on the source of data, we used the following nomencalture for some indices:

  • Commercial fisheries landings “.L”
  • Halibut survey are labelled as “.HS” - DFO’s Summer RV survey “.RV”
  • Model VPA “.VPA”
  • US survey data “.NMFS”

Acknowledgements