fisheries

How climate change and human activity are reshaping fisheries in the Gaspé Peninsula 

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Arthur Poirier-Roy

CASCAPEDIA-SAINT-JULES – The Gaspé Peninsula, a region celebrated for its natural beauty and abundant resources, faces a growing challenge: the dwindling wild salmon population. For those whose livelihoods and passions are intertwined with the rivers and the sea, the scarcity is a stark reminder of the changing times. Todd Cochrane, who has worked at Sexton & Sexton, a fishing shop in Cascapedia, for 33 years and has fished for over 50, has witnessed these changes firsthand. 

“It’s not just the salmon,” Mr. Cochrane explains. “Everything’s changing. The water’s warmer, the ice isn’t as thick, and the weather’s unpredictable.” Small fishing cabins that once dotted the water pools around New Richmond, Bonaventure, and Miguasha now stand empty, stark white patches against the snow. The ice, once reliable, is now too thin, making winter fishing a risky endeavor. 

While Mr. Cochrane fishes for various species, his thoughts immediately turn to salmon and trout. He points to the rise in predator populations, particularly striped bass and seals, as a significant factor in the salmon’s decline. Both species prey on juvenile salmon, and their numbers have increased dramatically in the past 15 years. While striped bass are recreationally fished, demand remains low. Seals, though legally huntable, are rarely targeted; there’s little market for their meat or pelts anymore. 

The way people fish has also changed dramatically. Fifty years ago, it was primarily an American pastime, with tourists traveling north for the region’s renowned salmon. Now, Quebecers make up the majority of anglers. The sport, once elitist, has become more accessible. But the biggest shift, according to Mr. Cochrane, has occurred in the last 15 years. Fishing equipment has become incredibly efficient, and social media has revolutionized how skills and techniques are shared. He recounts the story of a man who, having never held a rod before, learned through YouTube and displayed better casting technique than seasoned fishermen. 


Mr. Cochrane emphasizes that catch-and-release fishing, now the norm for salmon, is a necessity. With so many anglers and such effective equipment, without this practice, the rivers would be emptied in a single season. This adaptation has also spurred new ventures, like guided fishing trips and cabin rentals, creating a form of eco-tourism that helps maintain the infrastructure necessary to protect the salmon population. For Mr. Cochrane, fishing is a unique blend of tranquility and excitement. “I’m releasing that fish,” he says, “so that our children can go on and catch it. It’s up to us.” 

Research supports Mr. Cochrane’s observations. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has studied the impact of striped bass predation on juvenile salmon, finding it significant in some areas. Other studies have linked mining activity, particularly dewatering and associated contaminants like copper, to declining salmon populations. The increase in recreational activity around salmon habitats has also been suggested as a contributing factor. 

The Quebec government has proposed restrictions for the 2025 salmon fishing season due to historically low salmon runs. 

The Gaspé Spec invites readers to share their stories and information about the changes in the fishing sector, the impact of climate change on their lives, and what can be done to help. Let’s explore these challenges and work towards a sustainable future for Gaspésie’s fisheries. 

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$3 million from the Fisheries Fund, mainly for redfish 

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Quebec Fisheries Fund (QFF) has approved nearly $3 million for three innovative projects. 

A large portion of this amount will go to ACPG Innovation, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Association des Capitaines Propriétaires de la Gaspésie. The contribution will help fishing companies in Quebec’s marine sectors adapt to the redfish fishery in a sustainable manner. 

ACPG Innovation will act as a third-party redistributor of QFF funds to companies that will benefit from this contribution for the acquisition of innovative equipment and boat adaptations. 

The project will help fish harvesters access funds quickly through one of the following components: acquisition of fishing gear, increased fishing efficiency, vessel modification, and fish handling/preservation. 

The contribution will enable fleets in Quebec’s maritime regions to acquire innovative equipment and adapt their boats for the redfish fishery. 

A sum of $1.9 million comes from the federal government, and $825,000 from the Quebec government for a total project cost of $3 million, including the fishermen or plant owners’ share. 

The ACPG Innovation project is the first major redfish project following DFO’s announcement in January 2024 of the resumption of the redfish fishery. 

Funds will also be allocated to Atkins et Frères of Mont-Louis to help the company market a new product, fish sausages. The federal government is providing $70,000 and the Quebec government is providing $30,000 for the acquisition of manufacturing equipment. High-end sausages will be launched in Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes. The sausages will be made from halibut, redfish and lobster from the Gaspé Peninsula, as well as salmon. The total investment is valued at $111,000. 

Lelièvre, Lelièvre et Lemoignan Limitée of Sainte-Thérèse-de-Gaspé will receive $70,000 from the federal government and $30,000 from the Quebec government to improve its lobster tanks. The funds will be used for the acquisition of state-of-the-art water filtration and recirculation equipment for a breeding tank (water basin) to respond to the increase in lobster landings and the labour shortage. To ensure a more efficient overall system, the existing tanks will be modified to incorporate the same technologies. This project is valued at $160,000. 

The Member of Parliament for the Gaspé Peninsula and the Magdalen Islands and Minister of Fisheries, Diane Lebouthillier, was scheduled to make the announcement on December 13 in Gaspé. However, the press conference was cancelled at the last minute “due to unforeseen circumstances related to the minister’s travel,” said the ministry, which made the announcement in a press release. 

Launched in 2019, the Fisheries Fund is funded 70% by the federal government and 30% by the Quebec government. It supports projects focused on innovation in the areas of commercial fisheries, aquaculture, harvesting and processing of seafood, and scientific partnerships. 

According to both levels of government, the funding will help create opportunities and improve the market value of sustainably harvested, high-quality fish and seafood in Quebec. 

To date, the fund has supported 179 projects, allocating 29.5 million of its $40 million budget. 

$3 million from the Fisheries Fund, mainly for redfish  Read More »

Proposed restrictions to ensure salmon survival

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

changes to salmon fishing for the 2025 season align with requests made by the Gaspé River Management Corporation. 

The Quebec government has submitted proposals for consultation, prompted by historically low salmon runs in the summer of 2024 and high probabilities of continued low runs of large salmon in most Québec rivers in 2025. 

For large salmon measuring 63 centimetres and over, no retention will be possible this year and for small salmon measuring less than 63 centimetres, a catch-and-release policy will be in effect at the beginning of the season. 

The Ministry of Wildlife is also considering reducing the daily catch and release quota from three to two on the salmon rivers in the Gaspésie, a measure that came into force in 2024 and will be renewed next year. 

“We pretty much agree with what is being proposed: a cautious approach given the runs in recent years that were catastrophic in some rivers. This was not the case in Gaspé, but it was still low. Given that it was a generalized picture, it was quite worrying. We prefer to rely on caution and save our fish population for future years,” explains the general manager of the management company, Rémi Lesmerises. 

On Gaspé rivers, the Saint-Jean recorded 640 large salmon, which is above the average for the last 10 years. “For the York (River), with 700 large salmon, we are below average, but it is not unheard of. We have already seen 500 or 600 salmon, but it remains below average. At the Dartmouth, we are below 300 large salmon and 13 grilse. It is in less good health and that worries us,” notes Mr. Lesmerises. 

The number of grilse are also lower in the other two rivers: approximately 80 on the Saint-Jean and about 90 on the York. 

“It is not much compared to what we usually see, for example, 200-300-400 grilse. It is not high and it suggests a similar scenario for next year in terms of large salmon or perhaps lower,” says Mr. Lesmerises. 

The fishing conditions of the summer of 2024 with the low rainfall and low and warm water are cooling the ardor of fishermen while registrations for the winter draws are down by 30%. 

year. We are back to 2018 participation levels. It is not catastrophic,” maintains the director. 

“If we had had good weather conditions and cooler temperatures, the fishing would have been relatively good but that is not what we observed. It had an impact on fishing. We did not necessarily want fishermen to come in these conditions which were reflected in our revenues. We will be in deficit this year, but we cannot assess it at the moment,” notes the manager who has a cushion to deal with the shortfall. 

The ministry says it is sensitive to the possible consequences of these recommendations and the need to survey the stakeholders concerned. The terms and conditions will be released in the winter of 2025. 

No restrictions are currently planned on fishing activities carried out for food, ritual or social purposes. 

Salmon disease 

A research project is being launched to understand what is happening with saprolegniosis, led by Louise Chevarie, a Gaspé native and researcher based in Sweden. 

The research project is being carried out in collaboration with the Micmac and Wolastoqey Aboriginal Fisheries Management Association. 

“There are different subjects: the interaction between salmon and striped bass, which will also be studied on the York River, and also saprolegniosis. What is different about the York compared to the Cascapedia and the Sainte-Anne? What is the difference between infected and uninfected fish? Is there a difference in the immune system? A difference in terms of contamination? Are some more susceptible to the disease? The goal is always the same: to find solutions but to find solutions, we need to understand,” says Mr. Lesmerises. 

Water tests were taken once again this summer. 

Log jam on the Saint-Jean 

Work was carried out on the mouth of the Saint-Jean River to clear accumulated wood from the estuary. This spring, numerous trees had become lodged where the channel splits into two branches. The water was flowing well and so were the fish. 

“It was apparent that the next trees were going to get stuck and accumulate. We cleaned it up and should let the next dead trees through during the next flood,” notes Mr. Lesmerises, who does not want to relive the 1.5-kilometre log jam dismantled in 2015. 

Proposed restrictions to ensure salmon survival Read More »

Fisheries Fund allocates $830,000 to support five innovative projects

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

CHANDLER – The Quebec Fisheries Fund is investing $830,000 in five companies in Gaspé Peninsula and Lower Saint Lawrence for innovation projects. 

Minister Diane Lebouthillier made the announcement on October 18 in Newport, in the absence of a representative from the Quebec government. The fund is financed 70% by the federal government and 30% by the government of Quebec. 

The largest amount, $450,000, is awarded to the Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du Sud de la Gaspésie, for the installation of a new type of trap support. This will allow approximately a hundred lobster fishermen to place traps one behind the other, enabling them to work more efficiently and more safely during fishing, changing bait and releasing traps. 

The federal government is contributing $316,000, while the Quebec government is contributing $135,000 for this $1 million set of projects. Private firms are contributing for the balance. 

Aquaculture Gaspésie is receiving $100,000 to install an ozone water treatment system, which will increase productivity by optimizing water quality, a $274,000 project. Raymer Aquaculture is receiving $86,000 for a similar project estimated to cost $99,000. 

Two companies in the Lower St. Lawrence are also receiving contributions from the fund. 

Organic Oceans Incorporated receives $100,000 for the acquisition and installation of a bottling line for liquid seaweed extract for the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges plant, near Trois-Pistoles. This project, aimed at automating production processes, will increase productivity and address the challenges of labour shortages. The new equipment will also allow the company to bottle smaller formats of seaweed extract, ranging from 0.5 litres to five litres. The project is valued at $128,000. 

Lastly, Pêcherie IANC and Ian Chouinard will receive $95,000 for the acquisition and installation of a complete automation system for baiting to hauling in the Atlantic halibut fishery aboard a longliner. This system will improve fish quality by reducing handling and exposure time out of the water. The $105,000 project will also reduce the risk of injury to the crew. 

“It is important to support the entrepreneurs who presented the projects and to highlight the important work to prepare our world for today’s fisheries, but also for the future,” explains the Minister of Fisheries and Member of Parliament for the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands Diane Lebouthillier. 

“We still have many projects on the table that are being evaluated and projects that will affect redfish because it is important. When we reopen the redfish fishery, we need funds to help the sector adapt to this new “old fishery,” which was closed for 30 years,” added Ms. Lebouthillier. 

On the subject of the redfish fishery, the minister points out that the fishing was announced in January, and discussions with the redfish advisory committee are ongoing. 

“We want to avoid food waste. We are moving forward slowly with the market openings. That is why the reopening was done over two years precisely to allow for adaptation. It is still progressing smoothly, and I hope that in the coming years everyone will be able to take advantage of it and have some on the table to consume,” says the Minister. 

In Quebec City, the office of the Minister of Fisheries indicated that André Lamontagne and his assistant, the Member of the National Assembly for Gaspé, Stéphane Sainte-Croix, were unavailable for the announcement. Minister Lebouthillier did not explain their absence. “At the federal level, it is important to support entrepreneurs who have submitted projects,” she said. 

Newport Slipway 

During the press briefing, boater Vincent Moreau questioned the minister about the slipway, which is no longer functional due to its advanced deterioration. 

“We are stuck and, now, are we going to be forced to leave our boats in the water this winter? Requests have been made by the Crabbers Association,” stated Mr. Moreau. 

“The slipways are a provincial government responsibility. It would have been interesting to have representatives of the provincial government here today. It is a provincial responsibility. They are the ones who can answer. We, at Fisheries and Oceans, are responsible for the wharves,” replied Diane Lebouthillier. 

Three sailboats and several fishing boats were unable to be taken out of the water for the winter. 

“They’re passing the ball. That’s what we see. I’m not in politics, but we’re experiencing a real problem and when the ball bounces, it doesn’t move the issue forward,” Mr. Moreau emphasizes. 

In Quebec City, Minister Lamontagne’s office responded by saying that they are “sensitive to the situation. It’s an important infrastructure for the region’s economic activity. We are already in communication with regional stakeholders and the various ministries. We are currently exploring solutions,” they stated in an email. 

Confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership 

Recently, four additional ministers announced their departure at the end of the current mandate, amid a letter circulating among some thirty elected officials calling for the resignation of Liberal leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

Minister Lebouthillier does not believe this has shaken confidence in her leader. “No, not at all,” she replied immediately, explaining that each of the four ministers had personal reasons for stepping down, Marie-Claude Bibeau, for instance, has expressed interest in running for mayor of Sherbrooke, and Filomena Tassi is stepping down due to her spouse’s illness. 

“But that does not call into question the leadership of the Prime Minister, not at all,” the minister assured, reaffirming her support. She also confirmed that she plans to run in the next election. 

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Striped bass are not a threat, according to the Department of Wildlife

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The striped bass is not considered one of the main threats to salmon in the Gaspé Peninsula according to the Department of the Environment, Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks. 

While some anglers cite striped bass as a reason for the declining salmon runs, the department explains that the fear expressed by some stakeholders associated with the salmon fishing industry is linked to a scientific article published in 2018. This study assessed, using telemetry data, the consumption of smolts by striped bass in the Miramichi system in New Brunswick. 

“However, the main conclusion of this study is that predation rates by bass vary considerably from one year to the next and that the spatial and temporal overlap of the two species is a determining factor in this annual variation,” explains the department by email. 

“In addition, the situation is very different in Quebec, because the level of interaction between smolts and striped bass is much lower than that of the Miramichi. Indeed, studies show that the majority of smolts have already left the rivers when striped bass arrive at their mouths in the spring in the Gaspésie,” adds the ministry. 

Striped bass are opportunistic predators that feed on a wide variety of prey. Between 2014 and 2019, the ministry carried out several projects examining the diet of striped bass in Quebec. 

As observed across its range, the diet of striped bass consists of a wide variety of forage fish and crustaceans, as well as worms, insects and other invertebrates. 

A 2022 report confirms that striped bass in freshwater can consume a certain number of juvenile salmon in freshwater. “However, the presence of striped bass in the freshwater portion of the salmon rivers of the Gaspé is relatively limited and highly variable from year to year, thus minimizing the impact on salmon populations,” maintains the ministry, which adds that another study carried out in the Miramichi system and on the diet of striped bass, published in 2020, concludes that the narrow window of spatio-temporal overlap of the two species means that juvenile salmon represent an insignificant contribution to the striped bass diet. 

The report includes findings from a project carried out in 2016 and specifically focused on the diet of striped bass in areas conducive to the presence of juvenile American lobsters. 

This species was observed in the stomach contents of 16% of striped bass that had consumed prey. It represented 1.2% of the number of prey ingested and 13% of the total volume. However, the relevance of these findings is limited since the sampling targeted areas identified as “nurseries” for lobster, and lobsters were not found in the stomachs of striped bass caught elsewhere in the Gaspé Peninsula. 

As for crab, some were found in the stomach contents of striped bass analyzed as part of the department’s projects. 

However, they could not be identified as the species. Given their marine habitat preferences, it is unlikely that they are snow crabs, as they prefer deep and cold waters, while striped bass are more commonly found in coastal waters. 

“With regard to the low salmon runs observed in 2023 and 2024 in Quebec rivers, predation by striped bass is not one of the potential causes. The impact of significant predation, if any, would likely be felt locally on one or a few rivers concerned and not in a generalized manner throughout the species’ distribution area, as has been observed for two summers in Quebec,” explains the ministry. 

The striped bass observed in the Gaspé Peninsula mainly belongs to the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence population, whose main spawning ground is located in the Northwest Miramichi River. 

Their migration has been monitored via telemetrically since 2013, which allowed for an updated knowledge about the distribution of the two striped bass populations in Quebec as of 2018, leading to updates in recreational fishing areas. 

Monitoring of the abundance of adult striped bass is conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Gulf Region, particularly in the Miramichi River. Additionally, the ministry has implemented a monitoring program in recent years to assess the presence and relative abundance of this population in Quebec. Other projects are also underway, including the annual monitoring of recreational fishing in Quebec through a survey of fishermen. 

These projects provide information on the distribution of striped bass in the Gaspé Peninsula as well as their frequentation of the territory. 

The ministry emphasizes its commitment to maintaining favourable conditions for the stock of striped bass that visit the Gaspé Peninsula, which supports the recreational fishery valued by fishermen in the region and elsewhere. 

On this subject, the annual fishing survey shows that about 80% of the recreational fishermen surveyed come from other sectors of Gaspésie, contributing significant economic spinoffs to the region, according to the ministry. 

Striped bass are not a threat, according to the Department of Wildlife Read More »

Quebec government invests $6M in training for fisheries sector workers

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

SAINTE-ANNE-DES-MONTS – The Quebec government is investing more than $6 million to train up to 500 workers in the fisheries and marine product processing sectors in Eastern Quebec. 

This assistance was granted at the request of the Comité sectoriel de la main-d’oeuvre des pêches maritimes, a large group of employers, who felt that there were needs to be met in terms of ongoing training. The assistance announced on September 6 will meet the needs of approximately twenty companies in the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands, Lower Saint Lawrence and North Shore regions. 

“This is a need that has been expressed. We know that there are technological changes currently, but we are also facing environmental changes that are forcing the entire industry to review its practices. We are responding to this with customized training for each company,” says Employment Minister Kateri Champagne Jourdain, who made the announcement in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. 

“Do we need to increase digital literacy? Do we need to train the workforce on new methods of doing things? It will be based on the needs of the company. Ultimately, we want people to be more versatile and to adapt to technological changes more quickly, or to changes in production lines. We want to better equip the workforce,” explains the minister. According to her, around fifteen companies have already shown interest in the program set up in collaboration with the Chic-Chocs, Îles, René-Lévesque, Moyenne-Côte-Nord and Litoral School Service Centres, as well as the Eastern Shores School Board. She hopes that others will join the initiative. 

This 315-hour paid classroom training promotes learning related to real-life work situations. 

“The fishing industry is going through a period of uncertainty, and its companies are facing multiple challenges. This assistance aims to provide additional tools to workers in the fishing sector, while the industry must focus on innovation to continue to stand out,” notes Stéphane Sainte-Croix, Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Gaspé and Government Assistant for Fisheries. 

“It has been proven that improving basic skills makes workers better equipped to deal with unexpected and new developments. As climate and technological changes rapidly change the world of fisheries, this training will be very useful for staff and, consequently, for their employers. It will also undoubtedly help develop other skills such as adaptability, inclusion and problem solving,” says the executive director of the sector committee, Marjorie Chrétien. 

Workers will have the opportunity to accumulate insurable hours towards employment insurance benefits. 

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Stéphane Sainte-Croix’s priority is housing

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – As the fall session gets underway at the National Assembly in Quebec City, housing is the top priority for Gaspé Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Stéphane Sainte-Croix.

“We are working with our partners to ensure that we complete as many projects as possible so we can resolve our housing issues for as many customers as possible,” says Stéphane Sainte-Croix, acknowledging that it is a complex problem.

In August, when France-Élaine Duranceau, the Minister of Housing, visited the Gaspé, the MNA discussed the issue of housing with him.

“We looked at our issues, our projects, but it is an ongoing effort that mobilizes several stakeholders and the only way to achieve this is to do everything possible at the municipal, government and private levels to support the projects,” says Mr. Sainte-Croix.

The stakeholders in the region have suggested the possibility of tax credits for construction to the minister. “These are things that we will bring to the attention of our Minister of Finance. These are measures that could contribute to a search for a solution. Everything is part of the National Assembly session,” explained the MNA.

Fisheries Sector

The crisis in the fisheries sector remains a key aspect of the economy of the Gaspé Peninsula. The MNA mentioned the announcement of six million dollars to support worker training made during the first week of September in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. That money will allow them to be resilient in technological changes and processing lines. “This is a step in the right direction to support the fisheries sector but it must not stop there,” says Mr. Sainte-Croix.

The salmon situation also concerns the MNA, as the Federal Minister of Fisheries suggested last week, in Quebec, that action is needed due to striped bass intercepting the species as it enters and exits rivers.

“We have become aware of the low rate of salmon spawning. Striped bass appears to be a problem but also a solution for the fishing industry. The file has been sent to the Environment and MAPAQ (Quebec Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food),” explains Mr. Sainte-Croix.

Analysts are looking into the issue and the Parliamentary Assistant for Fisheries is conducting consultations to document the possibility of a project based and exploratory fishery.

“To see how we could quietly take advantage of this resource to perhaps ultimately arrive at a commercial fishery. But it is complex. We are at the beginning of the process and have been engaged for several months already,” says Mr. Sainte-Croix.

Wind Energy

Wind energy is the third major focus for the MNA,  especially since the Premier reiterated his commitment to this energy sector at his party’s caucus last week in Rimouski.   Wind power will be a strategic sector in Quebec’s future energy landscape.

There remains the issue of the insufficient capacity of transmission lines in Eastern Quebec to transport energy from the Gaspé Peninsula to major centres.

“It is obvious that the distribution line will have to be considered. It remains to be seen over time when these investments will actually be made but, one thing is certain, they will be dedicated in time and place,”  says Mr. Sainte-Croix.

Gasoline Prices

On the issue of gasoline prices, Mr. Sainte-Croix indicated that work is continuing within the government as retailers are collecting profit margins of around 30 cents per litre, compared to the 13 to 16 cents average over the last year.

“We proceeded with the abolition of the floor price. It remains to be seen what part of the information is available to consumers. We are thinking about it and we hope to come up with one or two measures at this level in the near future but, indeed, this is the observation we make regarding the price of gasoline and we are working on it,” said Mr. Sainte-Croix.

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Quebec once again asks Ottawa to collaborate in the fisheries sector

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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.

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Ian Lafrenière visits the Gaspé Peninsula

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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GESGAPEGIAG – The Minister responsible for relations with First Nations admits that there is still a lot of work to be done before trust can be reestablished with the government.

While visiting Gesgapegiag and Listuguj on August 15, Ian Lafrenière indicated that efforts are ongoing to improve relations with these communities.

“It’s obvious that these are difficult relationships. Why? We are talking about 400 years of history, punctuated by moments that have not been glorious as Canadians and Quebecers. There is certainly mistrust. I am not comfortable telling you that everything is fine, but I am comfortable telling you that we are moving forward. We are gaining trust one file at a time. It will take time,” says the Minister.
In Gesgapegiag, the first subject that was discussed between the minister and the community was the salmon fishing conflict that escalated in late spring.

An agreement that had provided compensation to members of Gesgapegiag for 16 years expired on March 31. “The Wildlife file was transferred from the ministry, and it was more complex. Together, we agreed that we need to reach a medium and long-term agreement to avoid this type of situation that creates uncertainty and tension. We want to reach an agreement to provide more predictability,” the Minister explained.
Given the difficulties in capturing other species, alternative possibilities were also discussed. Additionally, several other priorities were mentioned.

The Minister also took the opportunity to visit the memorial dedicated to Aboriginal Veterans, a significant moment for him as a veteran, and a project in which the Quebec government contributed.
In Listuguj, Mr. Lafrenière reviewed completed projects. “In all cases, these are projects that have respected both the budget and the deadline. I am thinking of the school and the police station. There is a lot of movement and it is very positive,” the Minister mentions.

However, Mr. Lafrenière did not visit Gespeg due to a tight schedule but also for another factor.
“We know that there is a pre-election period in Gespeg. That is why I did not continue my trip. I would say that in terms of schedule and geography, I couldn’t do it. And in addition to this pre-election period, I refrain from visiting the communities. It will be soon,” he says, adding that he has visited the 55 communities in Quebec.

“It’s important to see the communities. That’s where we learn things. It’s not in our office,” maintains Mr. Lafrenière.

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