The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec are announcing over $2.5 million in funding for 15 projects in the Gaspé Region and the Magdalen Islands that will help improve the efficiency, quality and sustainability of Quebec’s fish and seafood sector.

“Today we are announcing the largest contribution from the Quebec Fisheries Fund to date. With the help of this investment, Merinov, a Gaspé-based company, will be able to keep advancing both the province’s economy and the development of the seaweed industry in Quebec. All of the projects funded today will help the people and communities of the fish and seafood sector to thrive.”

The Honourable Joyce Murray
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“Fishing is in the DNA of people of Gaspé and Madelinots, as well as the pride of our region. I am pleased to see our businesses doing everything they can to develop a fish and seafood sector focused on sustainability and resource protection. The investments announced today will allow them to take their projects even further, while advancing our local, provincial, and national economies."

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier
Minister of National Revenue, Member of Parliament for Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine 

"To remain competitive, businesses in the fisheries and aquaculture industry must innovate more than ever, in order to adapt to consumer needs as well as to meet market and societal requirements, particularly in terms of sustainable development. The funded projects we are announcing today will promote the vitality of the industry and communities in our Maritime regions, in addition to contributing to the growth of the economy and increasing Quebec's sustainable food self-sufficiency."

André Lamontagne
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region

"As the Member of Parliament for the Gaspésie Region, I am pleased to see our government's investments in the fisheries and aquaculture industry. This is a highly competitive sector that requires companies to adapt in a constantly changing context. Since the launch of the Fisheries Fund, we have seen how it contributes to maintaining and improving the competitiveness of businesses, as well as to increasing regional development.”

Stéphane Sainte-Croix
Member of Parliament for Gaspé and Quebec Government Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

• Merinov receives more than $1.5 million from the QFF to provide new avenues for repurposing the Quebec seaweed industry by revealing the full potential of high value-added bioactive compounds. With this project, the organization will contribute to discovering, understanding and exploiting the unique properties of seaweed, an industry that is experiencing strong growth in Quebec.

• Contributions have also been allocated to the following projects in the Gaspe Region – Lower St. Lawrence:

  • The Association des crabiers Gaspésiens Inc. receives more than $200,000 to analyze different ropeless fishing gear technologies.
  • Lelièvre, Lelièvre et Lemoignan Ltée receives nearly $100,000 to acquire innovative equipment to extract lobster meat.
  • La Crevette du Nord Atlantique Inc. receives nearly $100,000 to acquire a bioenergy burner and a new water heating system to optimize productivity on the shrimp processing line.
  • Pêcheries Parisé Inc., Pêcheries Alban Hautcoeur Inc. and Alban Hautcoeur, Gestion Jules Lelièvre Inc., Pêcheries Marc Couture Inc. and Alain Couture, 9005-3711 Québec Inc., Pêcheries Rudy L. Inc. and Christian Lelièvre, the Micmac Nation of Gespeg and Pêcheries G.M.S. Inc. and Sébastien Paré all receive a contribution to acquire and install a monitoring system on their fishing vessel. This system will enable the monitoring of a number of vessel parameters and greenhouse gas reduction.

• In the Magdalen Islands, Poissons frais des Îles Inc. receives more than $20,000 to purchase equipment that ensures the maintenance of the lobster’s livability. 12935180 Canada Inc. receives nearly $100,000 to build a live lobster holding tank, and Les Fruits de Mer Madeleine Inc. receives also nearly $100,000 to improve the productivity of its rock crab and toad crab meat processing line.

• Additional information on the various projects is available in this related document.

Related products

• Backgrounder: 15 recipients of the Quebec Fisheries Fund receive over $2.5 million in contributions from the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec

Associated links

• QFF home page
• Funding application
• Federal Strategy on Innovation and Growth for the Quebec Regions

Matthew Dillon
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
613-990-7538
Matthew.Dillon@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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

 

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