GC DFO Salmon Ontology
type: Ontology
version IRI: https://w3id.org/gcdfo/salmon/0.1.0
definition: Hybrid OWL+SKOS ontology for DFO salmon data. Uses SKOS for controlled vocabularies (methods, criteria) and OWL for formal relationships and events.
created: 2025-09-06
creator: Fishery & Assessment Data Section (FADS) Data Stewardship Unit
description: 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.
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
modified: 2025-12-08
publisher: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Pacific Region Science Branch
version info: 0.1.0 (hybrid OWL+SKOS approach)

definition
type: AnnotationProperty

definition source
type: AnnotationProperty

in dimension
type: ObjectProperty
definition: Represents the dimensions a quality metric, certificate and annotation allow a measurement of.
definition source: vocab-dqv
comment: 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.

year of measurement
type: Class
subclass of: measurement datum
definition: year of measurement

Fishery type
type: Class
subclass of: material entity
definition: 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.'

Fish measurement type
type: Class
subclass of: information content entity
definition: A measurement type taken of some physical, biological, or ecological aspect of a fish or fishes.

Salmon escapement count
type: Class
subclass of: measurement datum
definition: The number of salmon which do not get caught by commercial or recreational fisheries and return to their freshwater spawning habitat.

Fish stock type
type: Class
subclass of: material entity
definition: 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.

process
type: Class
definition: An occurrent that has temporal parts and for some time t, p s-depends_on some material entity at t.

specifically dependent continuant
type: Class
definition: 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])

generically dependent continuant
type: Class
definition: A continuant that is dependent on one or more independent continuants and whose instances can be multiply instantiated.

material entity
type: Class
definition: An independent continuant that is spatially extended whose identity is independent of that of other entities and can be maintained through time.

lake
type: Class
subclass of: lentic water body
definition: A body of water or other liquid of considerable size contained in a depression on a landmass.

river
type: Class
subclass of: lotic water body
definition: 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.

stream
type: Class
subclass of: lotic water body
definition: A watercourse which is linear and flows across the solid portion of a planetary surface.
comment: A creek is typically smaller than a stream.
alternative label: creek

pond
type: Class
subclass of: lentic water body
definition: A body of water, usually of smaller size than a lake.

bayou
type: Class
subclass of: stream
definition: A small, slow-moving stream or creek; usually located in low-lying areas.
preferred label: slough

lentic water body
type: Class
subclass of: material entity
definition: A lentic water body is a water body in which the accumulated water, in its totality, has very little to no directed flow.

lotic water body
type: Class
subclass of: material entity
definition: A lotic water body is a water body in which the accumulated water, in its totality, is flowing.

information content entity
type: Class
subclass of: generically dependent continuant
definition: A generically dependent continuant that is about some thing.

directive information entity
type: Class
subclass of: information content entity
definition: An information content entity whose concretizations indicate to their bearer how to realize them in a process.

plan specification
type: Class
subclass of: information content entity
definition: 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.

measurement datum
type: Class
subclass of: information content entity
definition: A measurement datum is an information content entity that is a recording of the output of a measurement such as produced by a device.

document
type: Class
subclass of: information content entity
definition: A collection of information content entities intended to be understood together as a whole.

Event
type: Class
subclass of: process
definition: An action that occurs at some location during some time.
definition source: list

Identification
type: Class
subclass of: process
definition: A taxonomic determination (e.g., the assignment to a dwc:Taxon).
definition source: list

Material Entity
type: Class
subclass of: material entity
definition: 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.
definition source: list

Occurrence
type: Class
subclass of: process
definition: An existence of a dwc:Organism at a particular place at a particular time.
definition source: list

Organism
type: Class
subclass of: material entity
definition: A particular organism or defined group of organisms considered to be taxonomically homogeneous.
definition source: list

Dimension
type: Class
subclass of: Concept
definition: 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.
definition source: vocab-dqv

Quality Annotation
type: Class
subclass of: Annotation
definition: 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.
definition source: vocab-dqv

Annotation
type: Class
subclass of: information content entity
definition: The class for Web Annotations.

Algorithm threshold
type: Class
subclass of: information content entity
definition: Threshold value used by the rapid-status algorithm (such as Learning Tree 3) that may differ from expert-defined benchmarks to incorporate precautionary buffers.
definition source: DFO (2024). Rapid Status Approximations for Pacific Salmon Derived from Integrated Expert Assessments under Canada’s Wild Salmon Policy. CSAS Science Response 2024/004.
source: 2024 004-eng.pdf

Brood year
type: Class
subclass of: Year basis
definition: The year that a cohort of salmon spawns.
definition source: Adapted from the Government of Canada Pacific Salmon Glossary
source: gloss-eng.html
comment: The parental year for a group of returning salmon, i.e. the calendar year when the majority of parents of these fish spawned.

Catch year
type: Class
subclass of: Year basis
definition: The calendar year in which returning salmon are caught in fisheries (as opposed to the brood year in which the cohort was spawned).

Confidence category
type: Class
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
definition: Categorical confidence rating (High, Medium, Low) reported alongside a rapid status assessment.
in scheme: Rapid status confidence scheme

Conservation Unit
type: Class
subclass of: Reporting or management stratum
definition: A group of fish sufficiently isolated from other groups that, if extirpated, is very unlikely to recolonize naturally within an acceptable timeframe.
definition source: Canada's Policy for Conservation of Wild Pacific Salmon Glossary.
definition source: 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.
is part of: 0662405382
source: glossary

Escapement
type: Class
subclass of: process
definition: The process by which mature salmon pass through (or escape) fisheries and return to fresh water to spawn.
definition source: 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.
is part of: 0662405382

Escapement measurement
type: Class
subclass of: measurement datum
definition: A measurement or estimate of escapement tied to a stock and a survey event.
comment: Salmon escapement count

Escapement Survey Event
type: Class
subclass of: Survey event
definition: A survey event specifically for estimating escapement.

Exploitation rate
type: Class
subclass of: Target or limit rate or abundance
definition: 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)
definition source: 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]

Indicator river
type: Class
subclass of: lotic water body
definition: 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.).
alternative label: Indicator stream

Limit reference point
type: Class
subclass of: Reference point
definition: 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.
definition source: 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].
alternative label: LRP

Metric benchmark
type: Class
subclass of: information content entity
definition: Benchmark value for a WSP metric that helps delineate status zones (for example, the limit reference point for absolute abundance).
definition source: Pestal, G. et al. (2023). State of the Salmon: Rapid Status Assessment Approach for Pacific Salmon under Canada’s Wild Salmon Policy.
source: publication.html

Observed rate or abundance
type: Class
subclass of: measurement datum
definition: A measurement datum representing an empirically observed rate, count, or abundance derived from monitoring or survey data.

Reference point
type: Class
subclass of: information content entity
definition: Reference points are used as targets to achieve or as limits to avoid.
definition source: DFO Introduction to Stock Assessment Glossary.
source: index-eng.html

Reporting or management stratum
type: Class
subclass of: information content entity
definition: 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).

Stock
type: Class
subclass of: Organism
definition: A biologically meaningful but operationally-focused salmon demographic unit used in assessment and reporting.
definition source: DFO Introduction to Stock Assessment Glossary; Pacific Salmon Commission Technical Report No. 49.
source: index-eng.html
alternative label: Fish stock type

Stock assessment
type: Class
subclass of: process
definition: 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.
definition source: 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 Management Unit
type: Class
subclass of: Reporting or management stratum
definition: A collection of stocks that are managed together with a joint stock status.
definition source: DFO Introduction to Stock Assessment Glossary.
definition source: 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].
source: index-eng.html
alternative label: SMU

Survey event
type: Class
subclass of: Event
definition: 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.
definition source: 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].

Target or limit rate or abundance
type: Class
subclass of: measurement datum
definition: A value specification representing a policy- or model-defined target or limit, such as TAC, UMSY, or reference points.

Total exploitation rate
type: Class
subclass of: Exploitation rate
definition: The overall proportion of the total return of adult salmon removed by all fisheries over a defined period, aggregating across gear or fishery components.

Upper stock reference
type: Class
subclass of: Reference point
definition: 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.
definition source: DFO Introduction to Stock Assessment Glossary.
alternative label: USR

Wild Salmon Policy biological status zone
type: Class
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
definition source: 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.
definition: 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.

WSP rapid status
type: Class
definition: 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.
definition source: 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.

Year basis
type: Class
definition: A year-based temporal reference used to contextualize measurements or rates (e.g., brood year or catch year).

Aerial Survey Count
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
broader: Enumeration Method
definition: 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.
in scheme: Enumeration Method Scheme

Amber zone
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
type: Wild Salmon Policy biological status zone
definition source: 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.
definition: 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.
in scheme: Wild Salmon Policy Status Zone

Area Under the Curve
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
alternative label: AUC
broader: Enumeration Method
broader: Estimate Method
definition: Integrates serial counts over time using a survey‑life parameter; may apply observer efficiency.
in scheme: Enumeration Method Scheme
in scheme: Estimate Method Scheme

Biological Benchmark and Indicator Scheme
type: NamedIndividual
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Controlled vocabulary for key biological benchmarks, performance indicators, and reference points used in salmon stock assessment and management (e.g., SMSY, Sgen, spawner abundance).
has top concept: Target or limit rate or abundance

COSEWIC Status Scheme
type: NamedIndividual
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Controlled vocabulary for COSEWIC statuses
has top concept: COSEWICStatusCategory

Census by Manual Count at Fixed Site
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
broader: Enumeration Method
definition: 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.
in scheme: Enumeration Method Scheme

Downgrade Criteria Scheme
type: NamedIndividual
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Controlled vocabulary for estimate type downgrade criteria
has top concept: DowngradeCriteria

Enumeration Method
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
definition: A method used to enumerate or count salmon in the field
in scheme: Enumeration Method Scheme

Enumeration Method Scheme
type: NamedIndividual
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Controlled vocabulary for salmon enumeration methods
has top concept: Enumeration Method

Estimate Method
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
definition: A method used to analyze and estimate salmon abundance from enumeration data
in scheme: Estimate Method Scheme

Estimate Method Scheme
type: NamedIndividual
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Controlled vocabulary for salmon estimate methods
has top concept: Estimate Method

Estimate Type
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
definition: Classification of escapement estimate quality based on Hyatt 1997 framework
in scheme: Estimate Type Scheme

Estimate Type Scheme
type: NamedIndividual
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Controlled vocabulary for Hyatt 1997 estimate types
has top concept: Estimate Type

Fixed‑Station Tally
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
broader: Estimate Method
definition: Seasonal total = roll‑up of daily/continuous counts from a fixed (non‑sonar) station; simple arithmetic with documented coverage.
in scheme: Estimate Method Scheme

Green zone
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
type: Wild Salmon Policy biological status zone
definition source: 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.
definition: 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.
in scheme: Wild Salmon Policy Status Zone

Peak Count Analysis
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
broader: Estimate Method
definition: Uses the peak survey (live ± dead variants) as the season estimate/index.
in scheme: Estimate Method Scheme

High rapid-status confidence
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
type: Confidence category
definition: Rapid status confidence category indicating that high-quality abundance metrics support the result.
in scheme: Rapid status confidence scheme
preferred label: High confidence

Low rapid-status confidence
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
type: Confidence category
definition: Rapid status confidence category indicating limited supporting data (for example, derived from trend metrics alone).
in scheme: Rapid status confidence scheme
preferred label: Low confidence

Medium rapid-status confidence
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
type: Confidence category
definition: Rapid status confidence category indicating mixed evidence or reliance on trend metrics supplemented by some abundance information.
in scheme: Rapid status confidence scheme
preferred label: Medium confidence

Rapid status confidence scheme
type: NamedIndividual
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Controlled vocabulary for categorical confidence ratings attached to rapid status assessments.
has top concept: Confidence category

Red zone
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
type: Wild Salmon Policy biological status zone
definition source: 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.
definition: 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.
in scheme: Wild Salmon Policy Status Zone

Salmon Origin Scheme
type: NamedIndividual
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Controlled vocabulary for describing the origin of individual salmon (e.g., natural-origin, hatchery-origin, mixed-origin).

Stock Status Zone Scheme
type: NamedIndividual
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Controlled vocabulary for stock status zones under the Precautionary Approach.
has top concept: StockStatusZone

Type-1, True Abundance, high resolution
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
broader: Estimate Type
definition: 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).
in scheme: Estimate Type Scheme

Type-2, True Abundance, medium resolution
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
broader: Estimate Type
definition: 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).
in scheme: Estimate Type Scheme

Type-3, Relative Abundance, high resolution
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
broader: Estimate Type
definition: 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).
in scheme: Estimate Type Scheme

Type-4, Relative Abundance, medium resolution
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
broader: Estimate Type
definition: 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).
in scheme: Estimate Type Scheme

Type-5, Relative Abundance, low resolution
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
broader: Estimate Type
definition: 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.
in scheme: Estimate Type Scheme

Type-6, Presence or Absence
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
broader: Estimate Type
definition: Any of above methods. Not required for analysis. Moderate to high reliability for presence/absence.
in scheme: Estimate Type Scheme

Visual Snorkel Count
type: NamedIndividual
type: Concept
broader: Enumeration Method
definition: 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.
in scheme: Enumeration Method Scheme

Wild Salmon Policy Status Zone
type: NamedIndividual
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Controlled vocabulary for biological status zones under the Wild Salmon Policy.
has top concept: Wild Salmon Policy biological status zone

Wild Salmon Policy metric scheme
type: NamedIndividual
type: ConceptScheme
definition: Controlled vocabulary for the Wild Salmon Policy rapid-status metrics and related analytical concepts.
has top concept: WSPMetric