Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist
GASPÉ – Quebec Fisheries Minister André Lamontagne took advantage of the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers on August 15 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, to once again urge the Department of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to intensify its collaboration with fishermen, processors and the provinces, as climate change is impacting several fisheries.
While in Gaspé on July 5, Mr. Lamontagne deplored this lack of collaboration at a time when the industry is going through a crisis and must define its future.
He mentioned that the federal government does not seem to have a clear vision for the future.
In the current crisis, it is more than necessary that future actions be the subject of real consultation in order to ensure the sustainability of coastal communities, said Mr. Lamontagne.
Using the example of shrimp, the Minister mentioned that despite repeated calls from Quebec for increased collaboration between levels of government to respond to this crisis, the federal government has still not indicated its intention to offer substantial structural and financial support measures for struggling fisheries sectors, including Quebec’s shrimp fishery, as the Quebec Shrimp Fishermen’s Office recalled on August 15.
Last year, 4,500 tonnes of shrimp were landed by Quebec fishermen out of the 8,193-tonne quota. This year’s quota is set at 3,060 tonnes.
Another example is the resumption of redfish fishing, which should have benefited this sector. However, the 5,500-tonne quota currently allocated to Quebec shrimp fishermen is far too small to contribute to the restructuring of this fleet, which is in a very precarious situation.
The Minister also met with his counterparts from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island to discuss the pressing fisheries issues they share.
They agreed that federal government intervention was necessary to support shrimpers and any fisheries in difficulty, emphasizing the importance of joint management of fishery resources overseen by the federal government.
“Several fisheries are currently experiencing major upheaval. I saw this again during my recent visit to the Magdalen Islands, the Lower St. Lawrence, and the Gaspé Peninsula. In the middle of the fishing season, it is inconceivable that boats have to remain docked. I took advantage of the meeting to reiterate the federal government’s responsibility to contribute to the measures needed to ensure the restructuring of fishing fleets in difficulty, particularly shrimp fishermen. We must develop a common vision, which will be supported by jointly developed strategies and action plans. Silos have no place in fisheries,” says the Minister.
Mr. Lamontagne mentioned turbot, where the quota fell by more than 50% between 2021 and 2023, from 4,500 tonnes to 2,400 tonnes, with landings of only 179 tonnes last year.
He also mentioned that since 2023, fishing for winter flounder and yellowtail flounder in the Gulf of St. Lawrence has been subject to a moratorium. While the federal government is dragging its feet, the Minister mentioned that Quebec has stepped in to provide support to the various stakeholders in the shrimp sector since 2023, including the creation of a working committee made up of fishermen, processors and the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ).
Financial assistance of more than $3.5 million has been granted to the shrimp sector, including $528,000 to fishermen in difficulty.
In addition, the Quebec government guarantees loans to those at risk for an amount of nearly $20 million.
Projects to support the sector and hire resources, presented by associations and regional county municipalities, were also funded during this period.