The Government of Canada is making a significant investment to restore coastal habitats of Gaspé and the Magdalen Islands through the Coastal Restoration Fund under the Oceans Protection Plan

News release

May 18, 2018 – Gaspé, Quebec - The protection and restoration of the environment are top priorities of the Government of Canada, which is providing resources through the Oceans Protection Plan to ensure our oceans and coastlines are safer, cleaner and healthier for all Canadians and future generations.

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for Gaspésie-Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced today that Merinov will receive $2,107,599 over five years for the restoration of coastal habitats in Gaspé and the Magdalen Islands. The funds will be distributed through the Coastal Restoration Fund under the Oceans Protection Plan.

The project will provide solutions to the problem of erosion and habitat loss in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the context of global warming. Indeed, the overall goal of the project is to use artificial structures planted with various large seaweed to reduce the impact of waves and current on shorelines being eroded, while creating preferential coastal fish habitats.

In May 2017, the Government of Canada announced the $75-million Coastal Restoration Fund to help rehabilitate some of our most vulnerable coastlines and protect marine life and ecosystems. The Coastal Restoration Fund, under the responsibility of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, supports projects that contribute to coastal restoration on all of Canada’s coasts, with preference given to projects that are multiyear and involve a broad number of partners, including Indigenous groups.

The Coastal Restoration Fund is part of the $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan ─ the largest investment ever made to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways. In collaboration with Indigenous peoples, local stakeholders and coastal communities, the Government of Canada is creating a world-leading marine safety system that provides economic opportunities for Canadians today, while protecting our coasts and waterways for generations to come.

Quotes

“Our government is committed to protecting our coasts. That’s why we announced the Oceans Protection Plan, to ensure our oceans and coastlines are safe, clean and healthy. The $75-million Coastal Restoration Fund provides an opportunity to address threats to our oceans and coastal areas. I am pleased that our collaboration with Merinov and its multiple partners will ensure healthy, thriving ecosystems for the coastal areas of Gaspé and the Magdalen Islands for future generations.”

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“This investment from the Government of Canada to restore coastal habitats in Gaspé and the Magdalen Islands is a strategic initiative that will represent a significant advantage for Quebec. In addition to fostering regional synergy between Merinov and its partners, this project will help reinforce the capacity of several stakeholders to protect and restore key fish habitats, including a salt marsh, beaches and coastal belts, and sea grass beds.”

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue

“The reef seeding project will lay the groundwork for a new approach to restore marine environments to make them productive again, faster. The sustainability of fishing and aquaculture activities depends on innovations that meet both economic and environmental targets, for all components of the ecosystem."

David Courtemanche, Director General, Merinov

Quick facts

The targeted areas are the bar of Sandy Beach in Gaspé Bay and the Plage de La Martinique in Placentia Bay in the Magdalen Islands.
The project has two major goals: to protect coastal habitats in these areas and to create a productive environment for fish in these areas with the installed structures.
Several partnerships will be maintained or established throughout this initiative, including Mi’gmaq Maliseet Aboriginal Fisheries Management Association, the Centre de recherche sur les milieux insulaires et maritimes, the Comité ZIP Gaspésie, the Université du Québec in Rimouski, the Laval University, the Montréal Biodome and PESCA Environnement.

Associated links

Contacts

Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Vincent Hughes
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-996-0022
vincent.hughes@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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Date modified:: 2018-05-18

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