A row of colour fishing boats in the harbour of Havre Aubert, Magdalen Islands, Canada.
Adobe Stock
The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Diane Lebouthillier, has announced funding for multiple projects that will support the fishing industry of the Magdalen Islands.
These projects will combat the spread of aquatic invasive species, protect species at risk, and support Quebec's fishing industry. With this, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) wants marine ecosystems to be more resilient and promote coastal communities prosperity.
"The fisheries sector is a priority for your government. Fisheries and aquaculture businesses are part of the maritime regions DNA, and contribute to their economy and dynamism. The support announced today is a leverage that will promote their development and competitiveness. I wish them the greatest of success," expressed André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region.
With the support of the Government of Quebec, Minister Lebouthillier confirmed that more than $1.1 million will be allocated to six projects in the Magdalen Islands through the Quebec Fisheries Fund (QFF).
In addition, the Government of Canada will contribute $783,131, while the Government of Quebec will provide $335,628 to improve the market value of high-quality and sustainably harvested fish and seafood in Quebec.
A three-year agreement worth $500,000 has also been signed with the Comité de Zone d'Intervention Prioritaire (ZIP) of Îles-de-la-Madeleine under the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund, to combat species such as the green crab and yellow tunicate.
Finally, the Minister announced the signing of a two-year contribution agreement worth over $168,000 with the Centre de Recherche sur les Milieux Insulaires et Maritimes (CERMIM). This agreement will protect right whales and other species at risk in the Gulf of St. Lawrence through the recovery of ghost fishing gear.
For its part, CERMIM will create a program to educate fishermen about the dangers caused by abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear.
"Today, we are announcing significant support for the fishing industry in the Magdalen Islands. The investments made under the QFF, combined with the agreements signed with CERMIM and the Comité ZIP des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, will enable industry stakeholders and fish harvesters to innovate and adapt to challenges. Together, let’s build a solid future for generations to come," said Lebouthillier.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Oceans, and Canadian Coast Guard confirmed this summer it will support financially eight projects under QFF. As mentioned before, these projects aim to improve the efficiency, quality, and sustainability of Quebec's fish and seafood sector and enhance the market value of local fish and seafood.
Precisely, DFO has been giving priority to projects related to redfish. In late January, it confirmed that the commercial Redfish fishery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Unit 1) located in Atlantic Canada and Quebec will reopen this year, following several consultations.
As part of the QFF extension to 2026, the total contribution from both governments amounts to $11.6 million.
