Salmon Data Stewardship Manuscript

Welcome to the GitHub repository for our journal article draft:
"Best practices and practical applications for salmon data mobilization—a guide for salmon biologists assuming responsibility for data stewardship"

This repo hosts the manuscript in Quarto format and provides a transparent, collaborative space to refine the paper before journal submission. You can read the paper here: https://br-johnson.github.io/sdm-paper/ or download the latest version in Word Doc format here: https://github.com/Br-Johnson/sdm-paper/raw/refs/heads/main/docs/index.docx

📖 Project Overview

Salmon biologists and data managers across agencies and institutions collect vast amounts of data—but much of it remains siloed, undocumented, or difficult to reuse. This article aims to provide practical, actionable guidance for improving salmon data stewardship practices.

We also maintain several appendices that can serve as living documents beyond the article.

Please contribute to the appendices!

Appendix 1: we are accumulating and maintaining real world examples of these best practices in action. Please contribute your own examples or suggest improvements to existing ones.

Appendix 2:?? A training roadmap for biologists assuming responsibility for data stewardship, including links to existing resources and training materials.

🛠 Repository Structure

• index.qmd – The working version of the manuscript written in Quarto markdown format
• docs/ – .docx, .pdf, and HTML versions of the manuscript rendered from the index.qmd for easy or traditional word doc based collaboration.
• references.bib – Bibliography and citations.

✍️ How to Contribute

We welcome feedback and contributions from biologists, data scientists, Indigenous stewards, and anyone invested in salmon data. You have options:

🗣️ Post an issue for discussion in the Issues tab located at the top of this page.

🔹 Traditional Workflow for Direct Edits

• Download the latest Word version
• Make suggested edits or comments using track changes
• Email your edits to: brett.johnson at dfo-mpo.gc.ca

🔹 GitHub Workflow for Edits (for those familiar with Git)

• Fork this repository
• Make edits or suggestions to your copy of the repo
• Submit a pull request with your changes for review and integration by lead authors
• Alternatively, leave comments or feedback in the Discussions tab

💡 Not Sure Where to Start?

You can:

• Foremost, we're looking for real-world examples of the best practices in action. If you have a case study or example, please add it to Appendix 1.
• Suggest improvements to the best practices table or case study section
• Comment on structure, clarity, or journal fit

📬 Contact

For questions or feedback outside GitHub:
Brett Johnson
Brett.Johnson @ dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Program Head, Data Stewardship Unit
Fisheries and Oceans Canada

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Thank you for helping us improve data stewardship for salmon and beyond!