The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Secretariat, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) have collaborated to update the spatial representation of the NAFO Subareas, Divisions, and Subdivisions as defined in Annex 1 to the Convention on Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (2020) (https://www.nafo.int/Portals/0/PDFs/key-publications/NAFOConvention.pdf). The NAFO Convention does not indicate which datum should be used for spatial representation. The datum used at the time of development of the NAFO Convention would have been North American Datum 1927 (NAD27). However, all datasets were derived using NAD83. International boundaries have been updated based on accepted coordinates between the USA and Canada (http://www.internationalboundarycommission.org/en/maps-coordinates/coordinates.php), and Canada and Greenland (https://www.treaty-accord.gc.ca/text-texte.aspx?id=105136). This version of the NAFO Divisions is not intended to be used for legal purposes and is being provided for mapping / illustrative purposes only.

In 2021, the Canada Coast Guard (CCG) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) updated its administrative boundaries following the creation a new Arctic region.There are now 7 administrative regions in DFO (Pacific, Arctic, Ontario and Prairie, Quebec, Gulf, Maritimes, Newfoundland and Labrador). DFO and Coast Guard Arctic Regions developed these regions in partnership with the people they serve; this important decision will lead to stronger programs and services to better meet the unique needs of our Arctic communities.DFO and CCG operations and research cover Canada's land and waters to the international boundaries (EEZ) and are in no way limited to the boundaries drawn in the map.

Cartographic representations of Fisheries Management Areas (FMA)s in the Atlantic and Arctic Regions. Currently Published Fisheries Management Areas: Capelin Crab Herring Mackerel Salmon, Atlantic Scallop Shrimp Snow Crab Squid Each polygon feature class delineates the coordinates of a different series of FMAs. Shapes have been drafted based on a combination of sources including: the Atlantic Fisheries Regulations, Integrated Fisheries Management Plans, indigenous treaties, the bounds of the Territorial Sea, and other information made public on Fisheries and Oceans websites. Information from Variation orders and Conditions of License were also incorporated. The specific sources used to construct each feature class is listed in its metadata and direct links to public sources are included. The original documentation uses a diverse combination datums, or include coordinates with no listed datum. This data series has been projected into NAD83. Vertices in this dataset may differ from the original source documents to fix slivers, make areas congruent with coastlines, or align with other administrative boundaries. Changes made to the original areas in order to make drafting possible have been highlighted in the comments field in the attribute tables. Lines were first drafted as geodesics and vertices were added to approximate loxodromes using the Construct Geodesic Tool in ArcGIS Pro 2.9.8. As documentation is drafted, additional FMAs will be added to the dataset. Currently drafted FMAs my change and expand into currently unmapped areas as new information is incorporated. The feature classes produced as a part of this data series are cartographic representations of legal documents and are meant to be used for general reference in support of marine planning. Whenever there is a difference between the original written source documentation and this digital representation, the originals should be considered authoritative. Every effort has been made to ensure that these files are as accurate as possible but these feature classes are not intended to be used for navigation, legal interpretation or enforcement.

Prior to January 1, 2008, fishing divisions were administrative units to manage, monitor, assess and regulate recreational fisheries. Each zone was based on angler usage and ecological/geographic patterns. Refer to [Fisheries Management Zone for boundaries after 2008](/dataset/fisheries-management-zone).

FAO Major Fishing Areas for Statistical Purposes are arbitrary areas, the boundaries of which were determined in consultation with international fishery agencies on various considerations, including (i) the boundary of natural regions and the natural divisions of oceans and seas; (ii) the boundaries of adjacent statistical fisheries bodies already established in inter-governmental conventions and treaties; (iii) existing national practices; (iv) national boundaries; (v) the longitude and latitude grid system; (vi) the distribution of the aquatic fauna; and (vii) the distribution of the resources and the environmental conditions within an area. For various historical reasons the Areas in the Pacific were not so developed, with the exception of Area 87 corresponding to the CPPS area of competence. Initiatives for closer cooperation between agencies in the interest of better data, not only in the field of tunas, have suggested that some changes are necessary to the present FAO fishing areas/boundaries in the Pacific. The boundaries of fishing areas could be modified and adjusted according to new requirements, but it is inadvisable to introduce too frequent amendments to the already established areas. Revisions to boundaries should only be introduced after consultation with all the national fishery authorities and fishery agencies concerned with the areas under revision. Unless there are other over-riding reasons, boundaries lines should be drawn along 5° lines of longitude and latitude.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) conducts research and undertakes monitoring surveys of the marine and freshwater environment in support of sustainable fisheries, healthy aquatic ecosystems and living resources, and safe and effective marine services. In an effort to effectively inform and ensure Canadians feel engaged in the delivery of its science mandate, DFO produces Fieldnotes, an annual compendium of planned science field operations in the North Pacific and Arctic oceans, as well as in the coastal and interior waters of British Columbia and Yukon.

This data layer depicts the Special Designations that have been placed upon the lands and waters administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in North America, U.S. Trust Territories and Possessions. These special areas, such as national monuments, are primarily designated by the U.S. Congress. The primary source for this information is the USFWS Realty program.

This data layer depicts the Special Designations that have been placed upon the lands and waters administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in North America, U.S. Trust Territories and Possessions. These special areas, such as national monuments, are primarily designated by the U.S. Congress. The primary source for this information is the USFWS Realty program.

This data layer depicts the Special Designations that have been placed upon the lands and waters administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in North America, U.S. Trust Territories and Possessions. These special areas, such as national monuments, are primarily designated by the U.S. Congress. The primary source for this information is the USFWS Realty program.