The Honorable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard announced funding for multiple projects that will support the local industry. Projects will help fight against the spread of aquatic invasive species, protect our species at risk, and support Quebec’s fishing industry.

First, Minister Lebouthillier joined the Government of Quebec to announce more than $1.1 million in funding for six projects in the Magdalen Islands under the Quebec Fisheries Fund. The Government of Canada will contribute $783,131, while the Government of Quebec will contribute $335,628. This funding will help create opportunities and improve the market value of sustainably harvested, high-quality fish and seafood in Quebec.

Minister Lebouthillier also announced the signing of a three-year $500,000 agreement with the Comité Zone d’Intervention Prioritaire (ZIP) des Îles-de-la-Madeleine under the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund. This agreement will mobilize initiatives to combat the spread of aquatic invasive species in the Magdalen Islands, including 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), aimed at protecting right whales and species at risk in the Gulf of St. Lawrence through the recovery of ghost fishing gear. The CERMIM will also create a program to educate fish harvesters about hazards caused by abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear.

“The investments made under the Quebec Fisheries Fund, 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,” comments the Honorable Diane Lebouthillier
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

Quick Facts

• To date, 175 projects have received a total of $26.5 million from the Quebec Fisheries Fund.
• Launched in 2019, the QFF supports projects in the areas of innovation, scientific partnerships, commercial fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood harvesting and processing.
• Comité Zone d’Intervention Prioritaire des Île-de-la-Madeleine
  • The Committee is a non-profit environmental organization.
  • Its role is to promote knowledge of St. Lawrence and to encourage local initiatives to protect, restore, conserve, and enhance its uses and resources.
• Centre de recherche sur les milieux insulaires et maritimes
  • The Center, affiliated with the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR), focuses on applied research and innovation in island and maritime contexts.
  • The Center uses state-of-the-art equipment and collaborates with various partners to develop solutions adapted to local challenges and promote sustainable development.