Quebec Fisheries Fund — Innovation

For organizations involved in Quebec’s fish and seafood industry, staying competitive increasingly depends on innovation, sustainability, and smarter use of technology. The Quebec Fisheries Fund — Innovation stream is designed to help move the sector forward by supporting projects that modernize harvesting, processing, and aquaculture activities while strengthening long-term economic benefits for the province. Delivered by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the program targets initiatives that push beyond business as usual and contribute to a more resilient fisheries ecosystem in Quebec.

This funding stream places a strong emphasis on innovation, whether that means developing new seafood products, adopting advanced processing technologies, or upgrading infrastructure to support more sustainable operations. It also encourages collaboration, particularly projects that bring together industry players, researchers, and academic institutions to improve understanding of ecosystem changes or test more sustainable harvesting methods. Non-repayable contributions can reach up to roughly $1 million, helping offset a significant share of eligible project costs for businesses, nonprofits, and larger organizations active in the sector.

Interest in the Quebec Fisheries Fund has been high, and available funding is competitive, with applications only moving forward as funds allow. Projects are accepted on an ongoing basis, making preparation and strong project alignment especially important. For Quebec-based organizations exploring innovation-led growth in fisheries or seafood, learning more about how this program works could be a valuable next step.