Fieldnotes 2026 to 2027: Science field operations
On this page
- Welcome to Fieldnotes
- Fieldnotes interactive map
- About
- Disclaimer
- Map data
- Publications
- Data and results
- Other resources
- Contact us
Welcome to Fieldnotes
ᑐᖓᓱᒋᑦ, édlánet'é, aaqana, dẕenēs̱ hoti’e, wayʼ, yaù, oki, danit’ada, boozhoo, tanisi, tan’si, kwe', qey, hello!
This interactive map provides information about science field work to be conducted each year by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and collaborators. Field work takes place in the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the freshwater bodies of participating DFO Regions:
- Pacific
- Arctic
- Ontario and Prairie
- Maritimes
- Gulf
We thank the Indigenous communities whose territories we visit during our work. Their continued commitment, and their values, knowledge, insights and wisdom are invaluable to our collective efforts to build healthy oceans and aquatic ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and safe navigation.
ᓇᑯᕐᒥᒃ, mársı, quyanainni, mēduh, limləmt, ǧiànakaci, (ni)tsííkohtaahsi'taki, mąsi, miigwech, ékosani, hay hay, wela’lioq, woliwon, thank you!
Fieldnotes interactive map
About
We conduct field research and monitoring to support:
- sustainable fisheries
- healthy aquatic ecosystems and living resources
- safe, effective marine services
We recognize that our success relies on public trust in our research, scientific information and decision-making processes, as well as the ways we produce, manage and communicate information. In order to effectively inform and engage Canadians, and deliver our science mandate, we produce Fieldnotes, a tool for decision-makers and other users to access information about science field research and monitoring conducted by DFO and collaborators.
Fieldnotes aims to:
- inform Canadians of the research and monitoring programming scheduled for the coming year
- promote the sharing of key information and data in a coordinated, timely, open and transparent way to encourage dialogue and collaboration
- advance collaborative research and monitoring by encouraging the sharing of collective expertise, experience and resources
- reaffirm and honour our commitment to reconciliation and renewed relationships with Indigenous Peoples based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnerships
- support the building and nurturing of more inclusive, trusting and respectful relationships with all Canadians
Fieldnotes is our commitment to continuous improvement, stronger relationships and doing better together. In response to community feedback, Fieldnotes has evolved over the years from a Pacific Region pilot publication in 2018, to expanded editions from 2019 to 2024 and an interactive map starting in 2024. In 2026 the geographic scope of Fieldnotes grew to include 4 additional DFO Regions:
- Arctic
- Ontario and Prairie
- Maritimes
- Gulf
Disclaimer
This map has been made available for information purposes only and should not be used for navigation or other purposes.
Read the full disclaimer
Science field operations included in Fieldnotes are not an exhaustive list. The nature or location of field operations is subject to change at any time. For information or confirmation about specific operations, please see the user guide for instructions on how to contact the lead for each field operation.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada does not warrant the reliability, currency, positional or thematic accuracy of any data or information published in this map. Misalignment of some datasets may occur due to the methods used to produce the original product. Fisheries and Oceans Canada assumes no responsibility for errors in the content of the provided information.
Under no circumstances will Fisheries and Oceans Canada be liable to any person or entity for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential or other damages resulting from the use of data or information contained in this map. This includes, without limitation, any lost profits or business interruption.
Use of data or information obtained from the Government of Canada's Open Data portal is subject to the Open Government Licence. For more information, Open Government Licence - Canada.
When accessing data or information, users may be directed to a non-government web service location. Data or information obtained from other web services may be subject to the particular source's licence requirements and permissions.
Map data
These datasets inform the different Fieldnotes map layers.
Main layer
Indigenous Peoples
- First Nations location - Indigenous Services Canada
- Inuit communities location - Indigenous Services Canada
Indigenous territories
- Inuit Regions (Inuit Nunangat) - Indigenous Services Canada
- Modern treaties (post-1975) - Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
- Historic treaties (pre-1975) - Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
- Indigenous Agreements - Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
- Aboriginal Lands of Canada Legislative Boundaries - Natural Resources Canada
- Indigenous Territories - Native Land Digital
- This layer is included for information purposes only and does not represent official or legal boundaries of any Indigenous territories. It is still a work in progress.
Biogeographic features and protected areas
- Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD) - Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Federal marine bioregions
- Watersheds in Canada - ArcGIS / Environment and Climate Change Canada
Fisheries management
- Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization subdivisions – NAFO
- Pacific Fishery Management Areas (PFMA) subareas
Publications
Arctic Region
- Fact sheets
- PDF (2.65 MB)
- Map companion
Pacific Region
- Fact sheets
- PDF (14.7 MB)
- Map companion
- Collaboration visualizer
- Pacific science publications
- Additional Fieldnotes publications
Ontario and Prairie Region
- Fact sheets
- PDF (4.24 MB)
- Map companion
Gulf Region
- Fact sheets
- PDF (2.34 MB)
- Map companion
Maritimes Region
- Fact sheets
- PDF (1.9 MB)
- Map companion
Data and results
Ensuring that our scientific research, data and results are produced and disseminated in an open, timely and transparent manner is essential to successfully fulfill our science mandate.
Field program results are communicated through various reports, available at the following links:
- Canadian Hydrographic Service
- Nautical charts, navigational products and survey results.
- Centre for Science Advice Secretariat
- Scientific peer reviews and science advice.
- Federal Science Libraries Network
- Collection of publications in marine, freshwater and nautical sciences.
- Open Government Portal
- Information resources and data sets published by government institutions.
- State of the Ocean
- State of the physical, biological and selected fishery resources of Canadian marine ecosystems.
Other resources
Contact us
Contact information for specific operation leads can be found on the map. See the user guide for detailed instructions.
Contact us at Fieldnotes-NotesDeTerrain@dfo-mpo.gc.ca if you have questions or suggestions about the Fieldnotes interactive map.
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