Mussels, algae and lobsters abound in the St. Lawrence. However, harvesting them yourself remains prohibited almost everywhere. A group of Gaspésiens is trying to change these regulations specific to Quebec, one of the strictest in Canada, in order to fight against the food insecurity that afflicts their part of the country.
In Gaspésie, nearly 36% of the population lives in a food desert. Tired of what they consider to be an “injustice”, Hugo Daniel and other Gaspé residents are preparing the official launch of an organization called “Together for access to marine resources” at the beginning of November. Even picking the algae that grows in front of his house to make a salad or cook a broth is illegal, explains the young Gaspé resident who is fond of harpoon fishing. “Algae is prohibited. If you cut an algae, it’s around $2000 for the first time, your means of transport is confiscated and your name is in the newspaper. »
Fines imposed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for illegal harvesting or fishing can reach up to $100,000. “When the ministry has little information on a stock, greater caution is required to ensure the conservation of the resource,” explains the ministry’s communications department.
The only voices that reach the ears of the federal government are those “of people who represent commercial practice”, denounces Hugo Daniel. “In Haute-Gaspésie, there are some of the poorest communities in Quebec. We have food security challenges even though we have the sea in front of us. It’s the largest pantry on the planet and people are not allowed to go there to get food. Why couldn’t I install a buoy and [cultiver] mussels? Why can’t I pick algae when it’s 80% of the biomass here? »
The spiny lobster
The Together for Access to Marine Resources group plans to campaign for the opening of personal fishing to all kinds of species, but lobster is the subject of more thorny debates. The growth of its population in the St. Lawrence encourages all kinds of desires.
Poaching and commercial fishing are already increasing from year to year, so a third legal – and “food” – fishing would not further damage nature, believes Hugo Daniel. “Every year, we see poaching networks. Every year there are tourists who go into the water and take out lobsters. [Si on autorise la pêche personnelle]there will be no more. […] But isn’t it worth the time to educate people on this? »
We have the sea in front of us. It’s the largest pantry on the planet and people are not allowed to go there to get food.
The organization Eat your Saint-Laurent! is also trying to change the relationship of Quebecers with their river. “It should not be seen as a threat to commercial fisheries. We are talking about a sample which represents a drop of water in the ocean,” notes the Duty Gabriel Bourgault-Faucher, member of the collective. “It all depends on how we do it” and “the portion” of the sea we take for our plate.
“In France, it goes without saying that people can help themselves on the coast. It is certainly regulated, and we cannot do anything at any time and in any quantities,” explains the man who is also a researcher at the Institute for Research in Contemporary Economy.
Although British Columbia does not have lobster, it still allows crab fishing for personal consumption. The same goes for shellfish harvesting, which is not punishable by a fine in New Brunswick.
Hugo Daniel does not understand why Fisheries and Oceans Canada is so restrictive in Quebec. “Almost every country where there is lobster, there is a recreational fishery. In Maine, in the Bahamas… He just has the rest of us who can’t. »
The very identity of Gaspésie suffers from these bans, he finally pleads. “You are Gaspésie because you live in the territory of Gaspésie and you do Gaspésie activities. Walking around the land and eating from the land is the biggest activity in Gaspésie. If you can no longer feed on your territory, you lose your identity, in a way. »
This report is supported by the Local Journalism Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada.