year of measurement
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) defines a fishery as '...an activity leading to harvesting of fish. It may involve capture of wild fish or raising of fish through aquaculture.'
Fishery type
A measurement type taken of some physical, biological, or ecological aspect of a fish or fishes.
Fish measurement type
The number of salmon which do not get caught by commercial or recreational fisheries and return to their freshwater spawning habitat.
Salmon escapement count
Group of individuals of a species which can be regarded as an entity for management or assessment purposes; a separate breeding population of a species; term used to identify a management unit of fishery species. A distinct genetic population, a population defined by movement pattern, part of a population potentially harvestable, or a quantity of fish from a given area. May be a total or a spawning stock.
Fish stock type
An occurrent that has temporal parts and for some time t, p s-depends_on some material entity at t.
process
b is a specifically dependent continuant = Def. b is a continuant & there is some independent continuant c which is not a spatial region and which is such that b s-depends_on c at every time t during the course of b’s existence. (axiom label in BFO2 Reference: [050-003])
specifically dependent continuant
A continuant that is dependent on one or more independent continuants and whose instances can be multiply instantiated.
generically dependent continuant
An independent continuant that is spatially extended whose identity is independent of that of other entities and can be maintained through time.
material entity
A body of water or other liquid of considerable size contained in a depression on a landmass.
lake
A stream which, through permanent or seasonal flow processes, moves from elevated land towards lower elevations through a definite channel and empties either into a sea, lake, or another river or ends on land as bed seepage and evapotranspiration exceed water supply.
river
A watercourse which is linear and flows across the solid portion of a planetary surface.
A creek is typically smaller than a stream.
stream
creek
A body of water, usually of smaller size than a lake.
pond
A small, slow-moving stream or creek; usually located in low-lying areas.
bayou
slough
A lentic water body is a water body in which the accumulated water, in its totality, has very little to no directed flow.
lentic water body
A lotic water body is a water body in which the accumulated water, in its totality, is flowing.
lotic water body
A generically dependent continuant that is about some thing.
information content entity
An information content entity whose concretizations indicate to their bearer how to realize them in a process.
directive information entity
A directive information entity with action specifications and objective specifications as parts, and that may be concretized as a realizable entity that, if realized, is realized in a process in which the bearer tries to achieve the objectives by taking the actions specified.
plan specification
A measurement datum is an information content entity that is a recording of the output of a measurement such as produced by a device.
measurement datum
definition
definition source
A collection of information content entities intended to be understood together as a whole.
document
An action that occurs at some location during some time.
Event
A taxonomic determination (e.g., the assignment to a dwc:Taxon).
Identification
An entity that can be identified, exists for some period of time, and consists in whole or in part of physical matter while it exists.
Material Entity
An existence of a dwc:Organism at a particular place at a particular time.
Occurrence
A particular organism or defined group of organisms considered to be taxonomically homogeneous.
Organism
Represents criteria relevant for assessing quality. Each quality dimension must have one or more metric to measure it. A dimension is linked with a category using the dqv:inCategory property.
Dimension
Represents quality annotations, including ratings, quality certificates or feedback that can be associated to datasets or distributions. Quality annotations must have one oa:motivatedBy statement with an instance of oa:Motivation (and skos:Concept) that reflects a quality assessment purpose. We define this instance as dqv:qualityAssessment.
Quality Annotation
Represents the dimensions a quality metric, certificate and annotation allow a measurement of.
Dimensions are meant to systematically organize metrics, quality certificates and quality annotations. The Data Quality Vocabulary defines no specific cardinality constraints for dqv:inDimension, since distinct quality frameworks might have different perspectives over a metric. A metric may therefore be associated to more than one dimension. However, those who define new quality metrics should try to avoid this as much as possible and assign only one dimension to the metrics they define. More than one dimension can be indicated for each quality annotation or certificate.
in dimension
The class for Web Annotations.
Annotation
Hybrid OWL+SKOS ontology for DFO salmon data. Uses SKOS for controlled vocabularies (methods, criteria) and OWL for formal relationships and events.
Fishery & Assessment Data Section (FADS) Data Stewardship Unit
OWL + SKOS ontology for DFO salmon data: stocks/CUs/MUs, survey events, escapement measurements, and GSI constructs; aligns to DwC via rdfs:subClassOf; hybrid approach with SKOS for methods and OWL for events.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Pacific Region Science Branch
GC DFO Salmon Ontology
Repeated overflights enumerate visible spawners over defined waterbodies using helicopter fixed wing or drone platforms. Flight lines altitude sensor settings and ground sampling distance are documented and imagery may be reviewed post flight.
Aerial Survey Count
Threshold value used by the rapid-status algorithm (such as Learning Tree 3) that may differ from expert-defined benchmarks to incorporate precautionary buffers.
DFO (2024). Rapid Status Approximations for Pacific Salmon Derived from Integrated Expert Assessments under Canada’s Wild Salmon Policy. CSAS Science Response 2024/004.
Algorithm threshold
Fisheries and Oceans Canada. (2021). Wild Salmon Policy 2018-2022 Implementation Plan. Available at https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/library-bibliotheque/40728109.pdf.
Amber status implies caution in the management of the Conservation Unit. While a CU in the Amber zone should be at a low risk of loss, there will be a degree of lost production. Decisions about the conservation of CUs in the Amber zone will involve broader consideration of biological, social, and economic issues.
Amber zone
AUC
Integrates serial counts over time using a survey‑life parameter; may apply observer efficiency.
Area Under the Curve
Controlled vocabulary for key biological benchmarks, performance indicators, and reference points used in salmon stock assessment and management (e.g., SMSY, Sgen, spawner abundance).
Biological Benchmark and Indicator Scheme
The year that a cohort of salmon spawns.
Adapted from the Government of Canada Pacific Salmon Glossary
The parental year for a group of returning salmon, i.e. the calendar year when the majority of parents of these fish spawned.
Brood year
Controlled vocabulary for COSEWIC statuses
COSEWIC Status Scheme
The calendar year in which returning salmon are caught in fisheries (as opposed to the brood year in which the cohort was spawned).
Catch year
Salmon are guided through a controlled opening in a fence/weir where trained observers visually tally each passage event on a continuous or daily schedule. Counting chambers/windows and SIL/SEN daily logs document coverage; bypass routes are monitored and closed where possible.
Census by Manual Count at Fixed Site
Categorical confidence rating (High, Medium, Low) reported alongside a rapid status assessment.
Confidence category
A group of fish sufficiently isolated from other groups that, if extirpated, is very unlikely to recolonize naturally within an acceptable timeframe.
Canada's Policy for Conservation of Wild Pacific Salmon Glossary.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada. (2005). Canada's Policy for Conservation of Wild Pacific Salmon. Retrieved from https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/library-bibliotheque/315577.pdf.
Conservation Unit
Controlled vocabulary for estimate type downgrade criteria
Downgrade Criteria Scheme
A method used to enumerate or count salmon in the field
Enumeration Method
Controlled vocabulary for salmon enumeration methods
Enumeration Method Scheme
The process by which mature salmon pass through (or escape) fisheries and return to fresh water to spawn.
Escapement
A measurement or estimate of escapement tied to a stock and a survey event.
Escapement measurement
A survey event specifically for estimating escapement.
Escapement Survey Event
A method used to analyze and estimate salmon abundance from enumeration data
Estimate Method
Controlled vocabulary for salmon estimate methods
Estimate Method Scheme
Classification of escapement estimate quality based on Hyatt 1997 framework
Estimate Type
Controlled vocabulary for Hyatt 1997 estimate types
Estimate Type Scheme
Expressed as a percentage, the proportion of the total return of adult salmon in a given year that die (harvested or removed) as a result of fishing activity. ER = total fishing mortality / (total fishing mortality + escapement)
Fisheries and Oceans Canada. (2019). Government of Canada. Pacific Salmon - Glossary. https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/salmon-saumon/gloss-eng.html. [Accessed 09-10-2025]
Exploitation rate
Seasonal total = roll‑up of daily/continuous counts from a fixed (non‑sonar) station; simple arithmetic with documented coverage.
Fixed‑Station Tally
Social and economic considerations will tend to be the primary drivers for the management of Conservation Units in the Green zone, though ecosystem or other non-consumptive use values could also be considered.
Green zone
All spawning streams that are listed to be monitored by DFO are classified as an indicator or non-indicator stream. Indicator streams are those that have been identified in some Regions as providing more reliable indices of spawner abundance. Indicator streams tend to give relatively accurate annual spawner abundance estimates, given that they use higher quality methodologies and are more intensively/regularly surveyed. Indicator streams are also assumed to be representative of spawner returns to other streams in close geographic proximity. Non-indicator streams are typically less consistently surveyed, using more variable methodologies, and/or may simply be difficult to survey (e.g., poor water quality, remote location, etc.).
Indicator river
Indicator stream
A fish stock experiencing serious harm may be depleted to the point where it has impaired productivity or reproductive capacity. As a result, the stock would be less resilient to fishing and could not easily rebuild. Serious harm may be irreversible, or only slowly reversible over the long-term, and can be due to fishing, other human-induced impacts, or natural causes. Under the Precautionary Approach policy and the Fish Stocks Provisions (FSPs), breaching the LRP is a trigger for a rebuilding plan.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada. (2024). Introduction to Stock Assessment - Glossary. https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/species-especes/fisheries-halieutiques/assessment-evaluation/glossary-glossaire/index-eng.html. [Accessed 09-10-2025].
Limit reference point
LRP
Benchmark value for a WSP metric that helps delineate status zones (for example, the limit reference point for absolute abundance).
Pestal, G. et al. (2023). State of the Salmon: Rapid Status Assessment Approach for Pacific Salmon under Canada’s Wild Salmon Policy.
Metric benchmark
A measurement datum representing an empirically observed rate, count, or abundance derived from monitoring or survey data.
Observed rate or abundance
Uses the peak survey (live ± dead variants) as the season estimate/index.
Peak Count Analysis
Rapid status confidence category indicating that high-quality abundance metrics support the result.
High rapid-status confidence
High confidence
Rapid status confidence category indicating limited supporting data (for example, derived from trend metrics alone).
Low rapid-status confidence
Low confidence
Rapid status confidence category indicating mixed evidence or reliance on trend metrics supplemented by some abundance information.
Medium rapid-status confidence
Medium confidence
Controlled vocabulary for categorical confidence ratings attached to rapid status assessments.
Rapid status confidence scheme
A Conservation Unit in the Red zone is undesirable because of the risk of extirpation, and the loss of ecological benefits and salmon production. Changes in status will trigger management actions that will vary depending on species, geographic regions, and cause of the decline.
Red zone
Reference points are used as targets to achieve or as limits to avoid.
DFO Introduction to Stock Assessment Glossary.
Reference point
An information-defined grouping of fish populations used for reporting, conservation assessment, or management purposes. Examples include Conservation Units (CUs), Stock Management Units (MUs), and Designatable Units (DUs).
Reporting or management stratum
Controlled vocabulary for describing the origin of individual salmon (e.g., natural-origin, hatchery-origin, mixed-origin).
Salmon Origin Scheme
A biologically meaningful but operationally-focused salmon demographic unit used in assessment and reporting.
DFO Introduction to Stock Assessment Glossary; Pacific Salmon Commission Technical Report No. 49.
Stock
The scientific process of analyzing data to estimate the abundance and productivity of fish stocks in the past, present, and future. It is the backbone of successful science-based fisheries management.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada. (2024). Introduction to Stock Assessment. Available at https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/species-especes/fisheries-halieutiques/assessment-evaluation/module-1/09-eng.html [Accessed 10-28-2025].
Stock assessment
A collection of stocks that are managed together with a joint stock status.
Stock Management Unit
SMU
Controlled vocabulary for stock status zones under the Precautionary Approach.
Stock Status Zone Scheme
A field event that collects information about key fish stocks to track their status, and track progress to implement fishery policies and measures for these stocks.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada. (2021). About the Sustainability Survey for Fisheries. Available at https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/reports-rapports/regs/sff-cpd/survey-sondage/about-propos-en.html. [Accessed 09-10-2025].
Survey event
A value specification representing a policy- or model-defined target or limit, such as TAC, UMSY, or reference points.
Target or limit rate or abundance
The overall proportion of the total return of adult salmon removed by all fisheries over a defined period, aggregating across gear or fishery components.
Total exploitation rate
Total, seasonal counts through fence or fishway; virtually no bypass. Simple, often single step analysis. Reliable resolution of between year differences >10% (in absolute units).
Type-1, True Abundance, high resolution
High effort (5 or more trips), standard methods (e.g. mark-recapture, serial counts for area under curve, etc.). Simple to complex multi-step, but always rigorous. Reliable resolution of between year differences >25% (in absolute units).
Type-2, True Abundance, medium resolution
High effort (5 or more trips), standard methods (e.g. equal effort surveys executed by walk, swim, overflight, etc.). Simple to complex multi-step, but always rigorous. Reliable resolution of between year differences >25% (in relative units).
Type-3, Relative Abundance, high resolution
Low to moderate effort (1-4 trips), known survey method. Simple analysis by known methods. Reliable resolution of between year differences >200% (in relative units).
Type-4, Relative Abundance, medium resolution
Low effort (e.g. 1 trip), use of vaguely defined, inconsistent or poorly executed methods. Unknown to ill defined; inconsistent or poorly executed. Uncertain numeric comparisons, but high reliability for presence or absence.
Type-5, Relative Abundance, low resolution
Any of above methods. Not required for analysis. Moderate to high reliability for presence/absence.
Type-6, Presence or Absence
A threshold below which fishing must be reduced to avoid reaching the LRP. The USR must be set at an appropriate distance above the LRP to provide sufficient opportunity for managers to recognize a declining stock status and sufficient time for management actions to take effect.
Upper stock reference
USR
Two or more trained snorkelers conduct standardized passes within defined segments, tallying live/dead by species. Field forms capture visibility class, segment boundaries, and repeat‑visit schedule; counts are aggregated across observers/passes.
Visual Snorkel Count
The biological status of a Conservation Unit (CU) will normally be based on the abundance and distribution of spawners in the unit, or proxies thereof. For each CU, higher and lower benchmarks will be defined that will delimit three status zones: Green, Amber, and Red. As spawner abundance decreases, a CU moves towards the lower status zone, and the extent of management intervention for conservation purposes will increase.
Wild Salmon Policy biological status zone
Controlled vocabulary for biological status zones under the Wild Salmon Policy.
Wild Salmon Policy Status Zone
Controlled vocabulary for the Wild Salmon Policy rapid-status metrics and related analytical concepts.
Wild Salmon Policy metric scheme
The WSP rapid status assessment approach builds on previously completed WSP integrated status assessments. The detailed WSP integrated assessments are labour intensive, taking 10-40 experts up to three days to complete for each group of CUs. For this reason, assessments have only been completed for ~11% of the 377 current Pacific Salmon CUs, many of which are outdated. The WSP rapid approach can fill gaps by expanding coverage of CU statuses across time, species, and geographic areas. The WSP rapid status approach ensures statuses are scientifically objective, consistent, and comparable across BC/Yukon CUs. This approach is also relatively easy to implement, applicable to data rich and data poor CUs, and can be updated annually.
Pestal, G., MacDonald, B. L., Grant, S. C. H., and Holt, C. A. (2023). State of the Salmon: rapid status assessment approach for Pacific salmon under Canada’s Wild Salmon Policy. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3570: xiv + 200 p.
WSP rapid status
A year-based temporal reference used to contextualize measurements or rates (e.g., brood year or catch year).
Year basis