Nearly $43M for Quebec’s fish and seafood sector

The federal government will contribute $30 million, and $12.8 million will be provided by the government of Quebec.

“The Quebec Fisheries Fund is a big step forward for supporting the fish and seafood sector in our Quebec’s fishing communities,” stated Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. “It is important for us to support the fishing sector because it is not only a crucial source of good jobs in our coastal communities, therefore vital for fish harvesters and their families, but it is also at the very core of the economy of our regions.”

The QFF will focus on growing opportunities and increasing value for sustainably sourced, high quality fish and seafood products, according to a release. It adds that the goal is for investments from the fund to create long-term sustainable growth for Quebec’s fish and seafood sector moving forward.

The value of fish and seafood exports from the province of Quebec was more than $462 million in 2017.

“The investment… will help with developing innovative projects and creating better paid jobs in the region,” said François Legault, Premier of Quebec. “This funding will also help our businesses to enhance their competitivity and to take advantage of existing opportunities… We deliver the goods to our fish harvesters and producers. “

Both governments said they will engage with industry representatives, Indigenous peoples, non-government organizations, and the science and academic communities in Quebec over the coming months.

The Quebec Fisheries Fund will soon be accepting Expressions of Interest with further details to become available in the coming weeks.

Eligible projects must focus on:

Innovation – to support research and development of new innovations that contribute to the sustainability of the fish and seafood sector, and to create partnerships and networks that aim to promote and encourage innovation in the sector;

Infrastructure – to adapt new technologies, processes, or equipment to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of the fish and seafood sector; and

Science Partnerships – fisheries and aquaculture industry-based partnerships with academia and institutions to enhance knowledge and understanding of the impacts of changing oceanographic conditions and sustainable harvesting technology.