The Government of Canada is investing in restoring the coastal habitats of Charlevoix through the Coastal Restoration Fund under the Oceans Protection Plan
Press Release
Québec (Quebec) – The protection and restoration of the environment is a top priority of the Government of Canada, which is providing resources through the Oceans Protection Plan that will make our oceans and coasts safer, cleaner and healthier for the benefit of all Canadians and future generations.
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced today that the Fondation de la faune du Québec will receive $45,060 over two years to characterize fish habitats in the coastal zone of Charlevoix, and to identify sources of disturbance so that restoration priorities can be defined for the region.
The study area extends from Petite-Rivière-Saint-François to Baie-Sainte-Catherine and includes L’Isle-aux-Coudres. This area contains important habitats, including coastal marshes, and is frequented by many forage species, such as capelin and smelt, which are prey for several species, such as the beluga. Part of the critical habitat for this endangered cetacean is located within the study area. The data collected will make it possible to carry out a restoration plan for fish habitats in the coastal zone of Charlevoix. This plan will focus on intertidal marshes, river estuaries and breeding habitats for forage fish.
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, which will make our oceans and coasts safer, cleaner and healthier. 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 the Fondation de la faune du Québec and its many partners will ensure healthy, thriving ecosystems for the coastal area of Charlevoix for future generations.”
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
“We are proud to work with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and other partners, including le Comité ZIP Saguenay-Charlevoix and the Charlevoix-Montmorency Watershed Organization, to map and characterize the coastal habitats of Charlevoix, and identify sources of disturbance to develop a restoration plan for this exceptional coastal zone for wildlife.”
André Martin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fondation de la faune du Québec
Quick facts
- The project will help us acquire new knowledge on habitats and resources of great ecological importance. Moreover, data on sources of disturbance and their impacts on fish habitats will allow for an unprecedented increase in our knowledge of the coastal ecosystems of Charlevoix, which have been little documented.
- The restoration plan will be disseminated to partners to ensure that the identified priorities are shared by all so that concrete restoration activities can be carried out quickly with the support of local communities.
- This project is led by the Fondation de la faune du Québec. A number of partnerships will be maintained or established throughout the initiative, namely with the Comité ZIP Saguenay-Charlevoix, the Huron-Wendat Nation, the Bande Innue Essipit, the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, the Charlevoix-Montmorency Watershed Organization, the RCMs of Charlevoix and Charlevoix-Est and the Research and Education group on Marine Mammals (GREMM).
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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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