Closed
Financial support program for commercial fishing enterprises
Financial support for commercial fishing businesses
Last Update: April 29, 2026
Funding available
$ 25,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Bas-Saint-Laurent, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Capitale-Nationale, Mauricie, Estrie, Montréal, Outaouais, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Côte-Nord, Nord-du-Québec, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Chaudière-Appalaches, Laval, Lanaudière, Laurentides, Montérégie, Centre-du-Québec, Quebec, Canada
Overview
This program provides financial support for commercial fishing enterprises in Quebec, with a maximum aid amount of $25,000 per applicant, plus a possible additional $25,000 for early-career fishers. It supports the establishment, financing, and long-term stability of fishing businesses, including fishing boats, equipment, permits, debt consolidation, and related training.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Complete an acquisition or business transfer
- Start a business
- Renovate or adapt facilities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Location
- Bas-Saint-Laurent, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Capitale-Nationale, Mauricie, Estrie, Montréal, Outaouais, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Côte-Nord, Nord-du-Québec, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Chaudière-Appalaches, Laval, Lanaudière, Laurentides, Montérégie, Centre-du-Québec
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Establishing a first commercial fishing enterprise
- Financing the acquisition, construction, or repair of commercial fishing vessels and related assets
- Supporting debt consolidation or refinancing linked to eligible fishing projects
- Maintaining business continuity for fishing enterprises facing financial difficulty
Documents Needed
- Completed financial assistance application form for the relevant component
- Supporting documents and information required for analysis
- Documents listed in the annexes of the full program text
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Commercial fishing enterprises
- Fishers
- Early-career fishers
Who is not eligible
- Businesses listed in the Register of Enterprises ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA)
- Businesses under bankruptcy or insolvency protection
Eligible expenses
- Purchase, installation, construction, and repair of fishing boats and related equipment
- Safety, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic, and telecommunication equipment for boats
- Training registration fees related to fishing business operations
- Interest on eligible debts and maritime insurance premiums
- Debt consolidation and acquisition of fishing permits, quotas, and gear
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Expenses not directly linked to an eligible project
- Boat equipment not installed permanently, if the boat is leased or borrowed, unless allowed under the program rules
- Agreements or projects outside the eligible financing conditions set in the program
Eligible geographic areas
- All regions of Quebec
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by representatives of the minister.
- Requests are analyzed based on the applicable program criteria.
- Approved support is paid according to the program’s payment rules.
- If a request is refused, the applicant receives a notice explaining the reasons by mail or email.
Additional information
- The program ends on March 31, 2026, or when funds are exhausted.
- Applications must be submitted to the applicant’s MAPAQ regional office.
- The full program text includes annexes with possible supporting documents.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Financial support program for commercial fishing enterprises Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Financial support program for commercial fishing enterprises. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Financial support program for commercial fishing enterprises?
This program provides financial support for commercial fishing enterprises in Quebec, with a maximum aid amount of $25,000 per applicant, plus a possible additional $25,000 for early-career fishers. It supports the establishment, financing, and long-term stability of fishing businesses, including fishing boats, equipment, permits, debt consolidation, and related training.
How much funding can be received?
Financial support program for commercial fishing enterprises Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses, capped at $25,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Financial support program for commercial fishing enterprises program?
To be eligible for the Financial support program for commercial fishing enterprises program, you must:
Commercial fishing business or fisher
Eligible project under the program
Sector-specific conditions may apply
What expenses are eligible under Financial support program for commercial fishing enterprises?
Establishing a first commercial fishing enterprise
Financing the acquisition, construction, or repair of commercial fishing vessels and related assets
Supporting debt consolidation or refinancing linked to eligible fishing projects
Maintaining business continuity for fishing enterprises facing financial difficulty
Who can I contact for more information about the Financial support program for commercial fishing enterprises?
You can contact Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ).
Where is the Financial support program for commercial fishing enterprises available?
The Financial support program for commercial fishing enterprises program is available Bas-Saint-Laurent, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Capitale-Nationale, Mauricie, Estrie, Montréal, Outaouais, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Côte-Nord, Nord-du-Québec, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Chaudière-Appalaches, Laval, Lanaudière, Laurentides, Montérégie, Centre-du-Québec, Quebec.
Is the Financial support program for commercial fishing enterprises a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Financial support program for commercial fishing enterprises is a Grant and Funding