The governments of Canada and Quebec support the fish and seafood sector through the Quebec Fisheries Fund

Canada’s fish and seafood sector is an integral part of the economic and social fabric of many coastal communities across Quebec. That is why the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec are working together to modernize the sector.

The upcoming Quebec Fisheries Fund (QFF) is a five-year program that will provide $42.8 million in funding to the sector. The federal government will contribute $30 million, and $12.8 million will be provided by the government of Quebec. The QFF will focus on growing opportunities and increasing value for sustainably sourced, high quality fish and seafood products.

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.

In the coming weeks and months, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec will engage with a broad range of industry representatives, Indigenous peoples, non-government organizations, and the science and academic communities in Quebec. This engagement will continue throughout the life of the program in order to inform investment priorities and identify opportunities and potential partners.

The Quebec Fisheries Fund will soon be accepting Expressions of Interest; further details will be available on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans website in the coming weeks.