AQUACULTURE
Determining its Potential
Any voluntary or involuntary introduction of an exotic species to an existing ecosystem can have significant impact on the ecosystem itself, notably by interacting in a competitive or predatory manner with indigenous species and by fostering the risk of outbreaks. The problem of invasive exotic species, notably species bred in aquaculture and dropped in nature, is well documented. To increase the quantities of seafood products and meet the ever-growing need for this type of food, Quebec has made sustained efforts to increase its production of freshwater species and to set up an industry breeding mollusks in salt water. Quebec aquaculture is well-known in fact for its specialised enterprises either in commercial fish culture or in marine-bred mollusks.
The Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation in collaboration with Réseau aquaculture Québec have come up with an action plan to enhance the viability of fishing and commercial aquaculture industries. Clear-cut objectives have been set down to create jobs and economic growth for Quebec’s maritime regions for the following purposes:
- make fishing and fish transformation industries more competitive;
- market Quebec’s seafood products throughout the Province and attempt to diversify export markets;
- develop and recognize excellence.
This action plan recognizes the great importance of the maritime part of Quebec, as aquaculture is a major developmental niche for our collective future. The St. Lawrence River is quite near, and lakes and rivers abound. Species reproduce well in Charlevoix, in the Gouffre and Comporté rivers. Within the scope of the World Biosphere Reserve and the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, it behooves us to collectively determine the potential of its rich territory. This new type of sustainable economy meets with the wishes and desires of the citizens of Charlevoix for 2049.