Data checklist

Data checklist
(PDF, 193 KB)

Use this data checklist to determine if your data sets can be added to Canada's Marine Planning Atlas. This checklist will then be evaluated and assessed by marine spatial planning (MSP) experts. We will notify you once a decision has been made.

Data requirements
Relevance to MSP
	Check yes	Notes
Does the dataset tie into one of the categories of the MSP Key Questions (See Appendix A.)?	☐
Would the data fall under one of the foundational categories in the atlas? Which data layer theme does it fall under? *If unknown, our experts will review.	☐
How do you see this data being used to inform MSP? (Please add details in the notes.)	☐
Data quality and completeness
Is the data still considered current? (Please add to notes- frequency of data review or update, to ensure it reflects current use.)	☐
Has the data been peer reviewed or validated through an accredited process, expert or by a third party? (Please add details in the notes.)	☐
Is the spatial resolution fine? resulting in at least 0-50m? *If unknown, our experts will review.	☐
Are 4 or more variables represented in the data?	☐
Publication and ownership
Is the data publicly available, or in process to be published (Please add to notes- expected publication date, if known)?	☐
Do you own or have the right to publish this data? (Please add to notes- rights of ownership, data sharing agreement) *Please add to notes- WMS data link.	☐
Has metadata been developed for this dataset? Is there additional documentation for this dataset? (Please add details in the notes.)	☐
Spatial and temporal extent
Does the data apply to both Atlantic and Pacific Coast atlases? *Datasets that only cover one ocean are not necessarily excluded.	☐
Does the data have a spatial coverage of multiple regions/provinces?* (Put in the notes a description of the coverage) *Datasets that only cover one region are not necessarily excluded.	☐
What is the temporal coverage of the dataset? Is this time-series data? *If you are unsure, experts will review the data for temporal coverage.	☐

Appendix A: MSP Key Questions

Ecological

Where are the key ecological features and processes?
Where are SARA Critical Habitats?
Where are the existing and planned protected/conserved areas and the ones in the process of being designated?
Where are the current and planned human activities?
What is the distribution of current oceans uses (e.g. intensity of human uses)?
Where are the culturally (including Indigenous) important areas?
What are the current management measures and what are their levels of enforcement and monitoring?
Where are the jurisdictional (international, provincial, territorial and Indigenous) boundaries?
What are the potential singular and cumulative impacts or risks from human activities on ecosystems?
What are the current or expected incompatibilities/synergies among various oceans uses?
What are the emerging ocean uses (including their requirements) and where are they expected to occur?
What areas are suitable for specific ocean uses (e.g. aquaculture, renewables, marine conservation, etc.)?
How is or will climate change impact ecosystems and human activities?

Navigation and shipping

Where are current routes for commercial shipping (by type of ship), including fishing vessels?
Where are the current routes for ferries?
Where are the current routes for cruise ships?
Where are the current routes for ice breakers?
Where are the current routes for recreational boating?
Where are the anchorage sites, ports, and harbours?
Are there plans to modify navigation routes and speed limits?
Are there voluntary measures for speed limits and what is the effectiveness of these?
Are there plans to develop new ports/harbors or expand existing facilities?
Where are the ballast water exchange, black water, grey water, and vessel disposal sites?
Potential conflicts arising from environmental noise of navigation/shipping?
What are the conflicts and where are they considered?
Are there potential alternative routes to avoid conservation or user conflict issues?

Wind/tidal/wave generated power

Where are wind, tidal and wave generated power operations?
What are the footprints of these structures, and impacts to local biota?
Which areas have the most potential for wind or tidal energy development?
Does climate change modelling come into play here to identify future opportunities or eliminating potential sites?
Would the minimum operating conditions (e.g. safety buffer, distance from shore, substrate conditions etc.) be met?

Oil and gas

Where are seismic operations, operations of exploration, productions and decommissioned rigs, and pipelines?
Where are the upcoming parcels to be auctioned for licenses?
Where are the current or expected calls for tenders, valid oil and gas exploration or extraction permits and when will these expire?
Where are areas of resource potential (where are deposits)?
Which areas have the most potential for oil and gas development?
Would the minimum operating conditions (e.g. safety buffer, distance from shore, substrate conditions etc.) be met?
What are the costs of operations and feasibility of projects?

Underwater cables

Where are the installation and maintenance sites?
Where are the proposed underwater cables projects located?
Where are the under water mooring networks, monitoring stations (hydrophones)?
Which areas have the greatest potential for future underwater cables?

Aquaculture/mariculture

Which areas have the most potential for future aquaculture (both finfish and shellfish) and mariculture sites?
Are farms currently operating or fallow? Should a buffer zone be considered?
Where are the associated processing plants located?
Where are upcoming sites been licensed for aquaculture/mariculture?
Which areas have the greatest potential for future aquaculture/mariculture sites?

Commercial fishing including Indigenous communal/commercial fishing

Where are the inshore and offshore fisheries?
What gear is being used?
What are the impacts to habitat and bycatch potential of particular gear?
What are the targeted species and their status?
What are the fisheries timing windows?
What and where do fishing prohibitions/restrictions apply in the planning area?
How do the fisheries footprint change each year?
Where are the processing plants located?
Where are emerging/exploratory fisheries?

Recreational fishing

Where are the inshore and offshore fisheries?
What gear is being used?
What are the impacts to habitat and bycatch potential of particular gear?
What are the targeted species and their status?
What are the fisheries timing windows?
What and where do fishing prohibitions/restrictions apply in the planning area?
How do the fisheries footprint change each year?
Where are the processing plants located?
Which areas have the most potential for future fisheries?

Military

Where are the current sites for disposal and dump sites?
Where are the current sites for munitions, explosives, and sonar exercises?
Where are the current sites for other (military operations) including anchorages?
Are there plans to modify or create new areas for disposal, dump sites, munitions and explosives/sonar exercises?

Other industrial activities

Where are effluent discharge points?
What is being discharged?
What is the footprint of discharge points?
Is there a buffer zone?
Where are the current and future mining sites located?
What are the spatial impacts of pollution (e.g. dioxin and furans from past pulp and paper mills)?
Where are the current sites for: dumping/disposal at sea, dredging coastal pulp and papers, log dumps, etc.?

Tourism

Where are the current sites for marine mammals and sea bird watching?
Where are the current sites for bears, sea bird colonies, other species?
Where are the current sites for diving and/or snorkeling?
Where are the current sites for public recreational use?
Where are the current sites for other (areas) of interest (i.e. lodges)?
Where are the current sites for heritage and historical sites (cultural or archeological)?
Where are the sites or area of focus for future marine related tourism investments? Or Plans?

Additional questions

Where are camps, features, or travel routes associated with traditional harvest?
Where are spiritual sites or features?
Which activities are incompatible with traditional use?
Long term research sites, stations, monitoring?

Date modified:: 2023-01-31

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