Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Université du Québec à Rimouski collaborate in aquatic sciences

News release

Rimouski, Quebec — The Government of Canada is investing in science partnerships that will inform decision-making about the protection and management of aquatic resources in our oceans for the benefit of all Canadians.  

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and Mr. Jean Pierre Ouellet, Rector of Université du Québec à Rimouski, announced the signing of the 2018–2028 framework agreement for collaboration in aquatic sciences. 

This agreement formalizes and enables the frequent and close research collaborations that the Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada's research centre in Quebec, and Université du Québec à Rimouski have maintained for many years on research projects involving various aspects of science.

The framework agreement is aimed at establishing the provisions under which DFO and UQAR develop and implement collaborative research projects on issues and priorities of common interest, for the next 10 years. It is also aimed at fostering exchanges and transfers of scientific expertise to enrich and complement the partners' existing expertise to better meet their respective needs.

In addition, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has announced close to $497,000 in funding over two years to the St. Lawrence ECOsystem Health Research and Observation NETwork (SECO.Net) to study the eutrophication, hypoxia and the acidification of the deep water of the St. Lawrence Estuary in relation to the flow of surface water, laden with organic matter. 

Another major investment of $563,000 has been announced for the Ressources Aquatiques Québec group to study changes in the distribution of ground fish and crustaceans in the estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence. This work will improve our knowledge in order to make the best decisions in managing our resources, so that decisions can be adapted to the changes that are taking place.

Quotes

"Since 2016, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has been making massive investments in science, particularly to increase collaboration. The Government of Canada would like to build strong partnerships with the universities and other organizations to ensure access to the best scientific data available. Today's announcements are perfectly in line with this collaborative approach."

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“The Université du Québec à Rimouski has been, since its creation almost 50 years ago, focused on the issues that affect the regions it serves. As such, the university has made maritime issues a priority and is working closely with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Today’s announcement is a testament to this partnership, and most importantly to our commitment to continue to work collaboratively over the years to better understand and sustainably use the aquatic resources that surround us."

Jean Pierre Ouellet, Rector, Université du Québec à Rimouski

Quick facts

  • The funding provided to SECO.net and Ressources Aquatiques Québec comes directly from the $ 5 million Partnership Fund, as an integral part of the $ 197.1 million investment in ocean and freshwater sciences agreed upon in the 2016 budget.

Associated links

Contacts

Laura Gareau
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans
and the Canadian Coast Guard
613-992-3474
Laura.Gareau@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Communications Branch
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Quebec Region
418-648-5474
medias.qc@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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