Fisheries & Oceans Canada (DFO) informs proponents and stakeholders about the location of Aquatic Species at Risk by providing maps of species’ location (distribution) and critical habitat.  In December 2016, DFO moved to a new online mapping and guidance platform (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/fpp-ppp/index-eng.htm). This platform provides links to areas in Canada that have aquatic species at risk listed by the Species at Risk Act (SARA).  These maps are a useful resource for integrating Species at Risk Act legislation into the Projects Near Water self-assessment process.  In addition to these public-facing maps, DFO utilizes location information for fish and mussel species during our internal Fisheries Act review process.  

Data provided by partners ensures that accurate and complete information support both the public-facing maps and DFO’s internal process for reviewing project submissions and permit requests. DFO requests your assistance in updating our database by contributing information for both listed and non-SARA listed fishes and mussels. These data can include newly collected (2016) or previously not submitted. 

Please send your data by Friday, March 10, 2017.  Any data received after this date may not be included in the new maps until the next map release.   (Note:  Data submitted for SARA permit compliance should not be resubmitted.)

We ask that all fish and mussel data use the format defined in the Fish and Mussel Template 2017. 

If you have alternative means for sharing aquatic species data (e.g. webmapping services) please let us know and DFO will follow up accordingly.