Opening Soon
Source verified August 14, 2026
Quebec Fisheries Fund
Supports fisheries innovation, infrastructure, and market growth
Opening Soon
Get notified about updates to this grant.
Latest source updateLast Update: August 14, 2026Latest change: The Quebec Fisheries Fund now says project proposals will open on September 1, 2026, with updated funding terms, expanded scope, and a new contact email.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: August 14, 2026
Latest change: The Quebec Fisheries Fund now says project proposals will open on September 1, 2026, with updated funding terms, expanded scope, and a new contact email.
Quebec Fisheries Fund updated
The Quebec Fisheries Fund page now says organizations will be able to submit project proposals beginning on September 1, 2026, and that additional information will be provided in the coming weeks to support submissions. The program terms were also updated to over $50 million over 5 years, with a 60% Government of Canada and 40% Government of Quebec funding split. The scope now includes market development and diversification and revises the program to 4 pillars, and the page now provides DFO.QUEQFF-FPQQUE.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca for information requests.
Funding available
$ 2,500,000
Deadline
Opening Soon
Opened September 1, 2026
Location
Quebec, Canada
Who can apply
Commercial enterprises, such as fishers, aquaculturists, and seafood processors
See full eligibility
Overview
The Quebec Fisheries Fund is a joint Canada-Quebec contribution program investing $50 million over 5 years to support organizations in Quebec’s fish and seafood sector through innovation and development. It supports projects in innovation, infrastructure, and market development or diversification.
Opening Soon
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase production or service capacity
- Implement environmental initiatives
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,500,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- Non-financial cooperative
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Business Associations
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Innovation projects that support the development or commercialization of new products, processes, technologies or equipment that improve the productivity, competitiveness, sustainability or marketability of the sector
- Infrastructure projects that support the adoption, adaptation or installation of new products, processes, technologies or equipment that improve the productivity, competitiveness, sustainability or marketability of the sector
- Scientific partnerships that support the enhancement of knowledge or adaptive capacity in response to ecosystem changes and their impacts on the commercial fishery
- Market development and diversification projects that support expanded access to a range of markets, increased access to Canadian and international markets, reduction of the impact of trade barriers, and growth in the value of Quebec seafood products
Documents Needed
- A completed application for financial assistance form
- The appropriate project proposal for the selected stream
- All supporting documents, including relevant supplier quotes
- Historical and current financial statements
- Relevant operating permits and licences, if necessary
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Commercial enterprises, such as fishers, aquaculturists, and seafood processors
- Industry associations and other non-profit organizations
- Research and innovation institutions
- Academics and post-secondary educational institutions
- Indigenous groups or organizations that are not commercial enterprises
Eligible expenses
- Salaries, employee benefits, and other labour costs, including mandatory employer benefits
- Professional, technical, and other contractual services, plus training, conferences, and meetings
- Construction costs and related expenses, purchase or rental of machinery and equipment, and maintenance and repairs
- Materials and supplies, publication services, printing and imaging costs, postage, transport, telecommunications, and communications research services
- Insurance related to agreement activities, building or operating permits, eco-certification or similar certifications, and indirect administrative costs up to 10% of all other eligible costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs other than the listed eligible costs
- The cost of construction of a vessel, unless the Departments expressly agree in writing
- The cost of construction of a building, unless the Departments expressly agree in writing
- The expansion of a plant, unless the Departments expressly agree in writing
- GST/QST that the recipient is eligible to receive as an input tax credit
Selection criteria
- Contribution to the objectives of the relevant component, such as improved sustainability, new technologies or products, or better understanding of ecosystem changes.
- Practical benefits to the sector, including collaboration among stakeholder groups and benefits that support multiple parties.
- Project feasibility and overall quality, including completeness, clarity, sound evidence, and the likelihood of achieving results within the proposed timeframe.
- The applicant’s technical, financial, and management capacity, including human resources and scientific expertise.
- Special attention may be given to projects aligned with Quebec or Canada priorities, and equivalent projects may be ranked to maximize sector benefits.
How to apply
- Provide a completed application, the appropriate proposal, and all supporting documents in paper or electronic format
- Submit the documents by email to DFO.QueQFF-FPQQue.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or FondsPechesQuebec@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca
- Submit the documents by mail or in person to either a Fisheries and Oceans Canada area office in Quebec Region or a regional directorate for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Quebec
Processing and Agreement
- Receipt of the application is acknowledged within 5 business days.
- The application form and project proposal are reviewed to confirm eligibility and other funding requirements.
- If the project meets program requirements and is approved for funding, the applicant is contacted to develop a contribution agreement.
- Incomplete claims may be delayed or returned without being processed.
- Final claims can only be submitted when the project is completed, all costs have been incurred and fully paid, and all terms and conditions of the contribution agreement have been met.
Additional information
- If a recipient redistributes contribution funds to a third party, the recipient remains responsible for fulfilling its obligations under the funding agreement.
- Recipients that redistribute funds must select applicants and third parties who are eligible recipients for the relevant component and cannot act as agents of the governments of Quebec or Canada when making distributions.
- Intellectual property rights arising from a project will be conferred on the recipient or granted to the recipient by a third party by way of a licence.
- When traditional Indigenous knowledge is used in reports or other documents provided to the parties, the contribution agreement should specify how that information may be used.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Quebec Fisheries Fund Program
What is the Quebec Fisheries Fund?
The Quebec Fisheries Fund is a joint Canada-Quebec contribution program investing $50 million over 5 years to support organizations in Quebec’s fish and seafood sector through innovation and development. It supports projects in innovation, infrastructure, and market development or diversification.
How much funding can be received?
Quebec Fisheries Fund Funds up to $2,500,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Quebec Fisheries Fund program?
To be eligible for the Quebec Fisheries Fund program, you must:
Be established in Quebec.
Have the legal capacity to enter into a contribution agreement.
Be active in or support fish and seafood harvesting, processing, or aquaculture activities.
What expenses are eligible under Quebec Fisheries Fund?
Innovation projects that support the development or commercialization of new products, processes, technologies or equipment that improve the productivity, competitiveness, sustainability or marketability of the sector
Infrastructure projects that support the adoption, adaptation or installation of new products, processes, technologies or equipment that improve the productivity, competitiveness, sustainability or marketability of the sector
Scientific partnerships that support the enhancement of knowledge or adaptive capacity in response to ecosystem changes and their impacts on the commercial fishery
Market development and diversification projects that support expanded access to a range of markets, increased access to Canadian and international markets, reduction of the impact of trade barriers, and growth in the value of Quebec seafood products
Who can I contact for more information about the Quebec Fisheries Fund?
You can contact Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) by email at FondsPechesQuebec@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca or by phone at 819 371-3971.
Where is the Quebec Fisheries Fund available?
The Quebec Fisheries Fund program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Quebec Fisheries Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Quebec Fisheries Fund is a Grant and Funding