The government of Canada and the regional government of Quebec have awarded CAD 830,000 (USD 601,000; EUR 556,000) in funding for the seafood and fishing industry through the Quebec Fisheries Fund.
“The projects financed through the Quebec Fisheries Fund demonstrate the Government of Canada’s commitment to the sustainability of marine resources and support for local communities,” Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Diane Lebouthillier said in a statement. “This funding will provide significant support for the Gaspé Peninsula and Lower St. Lawrence fishing industry. By investing in innovation and the preservation of our maritime heritage, we are ensuring a prosperous future for our fish harvesters and the regions."
The funding will support five projects in total: three located on the Gaspé Peninsula and two in the Lower St. Lawrence.
“I am pleased with this financial support, which will enable businesses in the Gaspé Peninsula and Lower St. Lawrence to modernize their facilities and adopt technologies that will promote greater competitiveness,” Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region André Lamontagne said. “It is a priority for your government to contribute to the vitality of the maritime regions, particularly by supporting the fisheries and aquaculture sector. I wish all the projects the best of success."
The Canadian government provided CAD 583,515 (USD 422,352; EUR 391,042) of the funding; the government of Quebec provided the rest.
The Quebec Fisheries Fund was created in 2019 to support “innovation-driven projects” related to commercial fisheries, aquaculture, or seafood processing. The fund has awarded CAD 26.5 million (USD 19.2 million; EUR 17.8 million) to date across 175 projects.
The Canadian government has made multiple investments in Quebec’s fisheries industry this year.
In August, Economic development agency Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) invested just under CAD 100,000 (USD 73,400, EUR 66,200) in land-based Atlantic salmon aquaculture startup Samonix. The funding will support the company through its pre-startup phase, according to CED.
Also in August, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced CAD 225 million (USD 163 million, EUR 150 million) in investments in small craft harbors on the Atlantic coast, including those in Quebec. CAD 50 million (USD 36 million, EUR 33 million) of the funding was dedicated to supporting small craft harbors in the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec.
