Canada’s Oceans Now: Atlantic Ecosystems, 2022 - Highs and lows of large marine invertebrates

Highs and lows of large marine invertebrates
Marine invertebrates play essential roles in ecosystems, greatly contributing to the ecological and economic services upon which people depend.

This graphic depicts a simplified ocean bottom environment with a rippled greyish-brown sandy bottom that drops off to the right. There are various seagrass and macroalgae illustrated in the background.

On the left side above the seafloor, in a white outline text box:

Some molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms are fished only in specific areas throughout Atlantic Canada’s bioregions. Very few are monitored in research surveys, which makes it difficult to assess the status of the population.

A small white line connects this text box to a white outline box below. In the box:

• Softshell Clams
• Whelk
• Orange-footed Sea Cucumber
• Green Sea Urchin
• Rock Crab
• Jonah Crab
• Arctic Surfclam

Under the box, an American Lobster and a Scallop are resting on the bottom:

• American Lobster can tolerate a wider range of temperatures than other invertebrates and their landings have been at a record high.
• Scallops occur both inshore and offshore where landings have been stable or below average.

Five Northern Shrimp rest on the bottom among rocks with a Snow Crab:

• Cold-water crustaceans are vulnerable because of warming bottom temperatures from climate change.

In the water column, a Northern shortfin squid is illustrated:

• Northern Shortfin Squid have been found in record high abundances in recent research surveys.

Below the squid, there is an illustration of two types of sponges on the deeper slope area of the seafloor:

• Sponges provide habitat on the seafloor and are threatened by bottom contact fishing.