Commercial fishing is an important component of Quebec’s economy. Quebec’s most valuable fisheries are located in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence where fishermen land lobster, snow crab, northern shrimp, scallops, groundfish, and others. Major fishing ports are found along the Gulf of Saint Lawrence North Coast and Gaspe Peninsula.
In coastal areas of Quebec, small scale fisheries include hand harvesting of soft-shell clams, mussels, Atlantic surfclams, and Atlantic razor clams.
Quebec’s commercial fisheries are managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) requires a fisher or assistant fisher certificate issued by the Bureau d’accréditation des pêcheurs et des aides-pêcheurs du Québec (BAPAP) in order to acquire and manage an inshore commercial fishery enterprise in Quebec.
DFO’s regional Small Craft Harbours Branch, in conjunction with local harbour authorities, operates and maintains a system of harbours critical to Quebec’s commercial fishing industry.
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