Aquatic invasive species survey map: User guide

This map allows users to visualize publicly available data from Fisheries and Oceans Canada relevant to aquatic invasive species, including historic records. It is intended to provide an overview of locations that have been surveyed for aquatic invasive species within Canadian waters.

The number of records found in this map does not represent species abundance. The information presented in this map is not a complete representation of aquatic invasive species monitoring efforts across Canada, as it does not include data from provincial or territorial government organizations, nor other non-government organizations.

Each point (circle or triangle) within the map represents a location that was surveyed for one or more aquatic invasive species. The size of a circle will change based on the number of data points at the specified location. A triangle represents a single observation.

Contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada for questions about information found in this map.

Disclaimer

The data contained in this application has been made available for information purposes only and may not reflect the actual distribution of established populations of aquatic invasive species. This data is not final and is subject to change at any time.

Representations of waterbodies within the map are based on provincial geospatial products, guidance, and standards. Due to the resolution and accuracy of data sets used to develop the map, information displayed may not align exactly with natural waterbodies.

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 authorized or unauthorized use of this data. 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 License.

Viewing layers

The map’s default layer shows aquatic invasive species. The points (circles and triangles) on the map represent locations that were surveyed for aquatic invasive species. The size of a circle will change based on the number of data points at the specified location. A triangle represents a single observation.

You can also turn on additional layers to view the following:

Canadian Aquatic Barriers Database
Small Craft Harbours
Canadian Watersheds
Vessel Traffic Routes
Species at Risk Critical Habitat
Aquatic Species at Risk Distribution
Protected and Conserved Areas

To show or hide a layer:

select the “Layers” widget from the navigation bar in the top right
select or deselect the "Eye” symbol to the right of a layer to display it
the “Arrow” symbol to the left of the layer may be used to expand the selection
select the “Three dots” symbol to the right of the layer to reveal more options and settings
click the “X” in the top right to close the “Layers” widget
select the “List” widget from the navigation bar in the top right to reveal the legend for each layer

Selecting a location

Select a location using the map in one of the following ways:

use the search bar in the top left corner of the map
zoom in and out using the zoom buttons in the top left and drag the map to reposition it
select a survey location by clicking on a circle or triangle on the map and a pop-up window will appear on your screen with more information about the data point(s) at the selected location

Viewing information in a pop-up window

Click on a circle or triangle on the map to open a pop-up window:

if more than 1 data point was recorded at the selected location, a summary page will be displayed in the pop-up window for all the data points at that location
to view information about each individual data point, select the “Browse features” button near the top of the pop-up window
a list of features will be displayed for all data points at the selected location, including their common name, occurrence status, and year of observation
select a data point of interest from the list and a new pop-up window will appear that provides information about the observation
use the arrows at the bottom left of the new pop-up window to navigate between points of interest from the list
select the hyperlinked common species name to view more information from DFO about the selected aquatic invasive species
use the list icon in the bottom right of the pop-up window to return to the list of features
select the first item in the feature list labelled “Cluster” to return to the summary window

Data filter

To filter the information displayed on the map, click on the “Data filter” widget from the navigation bar at the top right. A pop-up window will appear on the right-hand side of the window, listing all available filtering options.

To filter by location:

use the “Location filter” tool (the button with a box and arrow) to draw a shape around an area on the map you would like to filter
click the tool again to exit the spatial selection mode

To filter by occurrence status:

use the drop-down menu to show a list of occurrence statuses
click on the checkbox of the occurrence status you would like to select

To search for a species:

use the drop-down menus to either select or search by common or scientific species name

To filter by Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations status:

use the drop-down menu to select a regulatory status by clicking on a checkbox in the list

To filter by collection method:

use the drop-down menu to select a collection method by clicking on a checkbox in the list

To filter by year:

use the drop-down menu to select a year or years by clicking on a checkbox in the list

Export data

To export data based on your selected filters, use the “Export data” button at the bottom of the “Data filter” widget and select from the list of formatting options.

Print a PDF report

To print a PDF report of the data displayed on your screen, including filters, select the “Print” widget from the navigation bar in the top right:

choose the preferred printing template from the drop-down list of options
create a descriptive title for the PDF report
click the down arrow beside “Advanced” to reveal more advanced printing options
click the “Print” button at the bottom of the widget to generate your PDF report

Contact us

For questions about this survey map, please email Fisheries and Oceans Canada at DFO.NationalAIS-EAEnational.mpo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

If you think you have found an aquatic invasive species:

take photos
note:
- the exact location (GPS coordinates)
- the observation date
- identifying features

Use these contact details to report the sighting.

Glossary of terms

AIS: Abbreviation for aquatic invasive species.
AIS Regulation Status: Please click the following link for more information about the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations.
Basemaps: Foundational layers of a map that provide geographic context and visual reference for other map data.
Collection method: The specific approach or technique used to gather data, information, or samples represented in this map.
Detected: The species has been confirmed in the area through direct observation, specimen collection, or reliable evidence on a specific date(s).
Exact count: A direct tally of individual organisms observed or collected. This is typically used for mobile or easily distinguishable species (e.g., 15 European Green Crabs in a trap).
Layers: Individual sets of geographic data that are stacked or overlaid on top of a basemap to create a rich, interactive map experience.
Native range: The geographic area where a species naturally occurs and has evolved over time without human introduction.
Non-detected: The species was not observed during the survey or monitoring period.
Non-detected, inconclusive: The species was not observed during the survey or monitoring period, and the available data is insufficient to determine whether the species is truly absent or simply undetected.
Occurrence status: The observed presence of a species in a specific geographic area, based on survey data, monitoring, or other forms of detection.
Organism quantity: The measured amount of a species or group of organisms observed in a specific location or sampling event.
Percent (%) settlement plate cover: A percentage estimate of the surface area covered by organisms on a settlement plate.
Settlement plate: A small surface (often PVC, a type of plastic) is placed underwater to attract and monitor marine organisms for early detection and research. This method is ideal for species that stay in one place or grow in groups (e.g., tunicates) and reflects spatial dominance rather than individual count.

Glossary of map buttons

About

Brings a user to more information about using this map.

Add data

Allows a user to import and display their own spatial data layers on the map to provide additional geographic context alongside aquatic invasive species information.

Back

Returns a user to the previous window.

Basemaps

Shows the following background maps that a user can choose from:

Topographic: land topographies.
Imagery with labels: Shows a satellite image with labels.
Dark gray canvas: Shows simplified transportation networks and landmarks using a high-contrast background.
Streets: shows road networks, landmarks, and transportation routes.

Clear or close

Clears the search box or closes a panel or pop-up window.

Collapse or expand pop-up window

Collapses or expands the pop-up window. The arrow will point up or down to collapse or expand the pop-up window depending on where the window is located on a user’s screen.

Default map view