The government of Canada is investing CAD 2 million (USD 1.4 million, EUR 1.3 million) to support the recently reopened redfish fishery in the Atlantic Ocean.
Under the investment, ACPG Innovation – a nonprofit organization affiliated with fisher representative group Association des Capitaines Propriétaires de la Gaspésie – will act as a third-party redistributor of funding, providing money to companies that want to acquire fishing gear, increase fishing efficiency, modify their vessels, or improve fish handling and processing.
The Quebec government will also contribute funding, bringing the total investment to nearly CAD 2.8 million (USD 1.9 million, EUR 1.9 million), covering nearly the entire cost of the CAD 3.1 million (USD 2.2 million, EUR 2.1 million) project.
"The revival of the redfish fishery is excellent news. This project is not just about supporting our fish harvesters; it represents an opportunity for economic diversification and the revitalization of coastal communities,” National Assembly of Quebec Member for Gaspé Stéphane Sainte-Croix said in a statement.
Canada reopened its redfish fishery at the beginning of 2024 after keeping it closed for nearly 30 years to help the stock rebound.
“Our support for Gaspésie fish harvesters and the fish industry in Quebec is essential to ensure its competitiveness and sustainability,” Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard Diane Lebouthillier said in a statement. “The funding announced today will enable our fish harvesters to adapt to many of the challenges of an ever-changing market and to equip them with the tools they need to resume the redfish fishery. Today, we are taking an important step toward a sustainable and prosperous fishery for Quebec's maritime communities through significant investments for our fish harvesters."
The investment is part of the latest round of awards from the Quebec Fisheries Fund, which was established in 2019 to provide financial support from the federal and provincial governments for “innovation-driven projects” related to commercial fisheries, aquaculture, or seafood processing. The Canadian government also announced CAD 100,000 (USD 69,615, EUR 66,782) to Atkins et Frères Inc. to purchase fish sausage manufacturing equipment that will make sausages from halibut, redfish, lobster, and salmon and CAD 100,000 to seafood-processing firm Lelièvre, Lelièvre, et Lemoignan ltée for equipment related to its lobster tanks.
“I am proud that this initiative meets the expectations of harvesters. Innovative projects, such as those of Atkins et Frères Inc. and Lelièvre, Lelièvre, et Lemoignan Ltd., demonstrate the potential of our region to position itself as a leader in the maritime sector,” Sainte-Croix said.
