For more information

Magdalen Islands

Overall Picture

The Magdalen Islands Archipelago is located in the heart of the Gulf of St Lawrence 215 km off the Gaspe peninsula. The life of its inhabitants, called Magdalen Islanders, is lulled by the rhythm of the Atlantic, and the time zone is an hour later than in the whole province of Quebec. The region, which is home to Francophones and a minority of Anglophones, had 13 991 inhabitants in 2000.

The archipelago consists of a dozen islands, with six being linked by sand dunes: those islands are Île de la Grande Entrée, Grosse Île, Île aux Loups, Île du Havre aux Maisons, Île du Cap aux Meules and Île du Havre Aubert. The other islands are Île d'Entrée, Île Brion, Rocher aux Oiseaux, Île aux Loups Marins, Île aux Cochons and Rocher du Corps Mort.

The Magdalen Islands are a sanctuary for a multitude of mammals and birds specie. Of all the specie, seal is certainly one that has most contributed to the fame of the Magdalen Islands Archipelago. Indeed, grey and harbour seals can be easily watched in the archipelago. Around late February and early March, harp seals and hood seals give birth to their calves. For the Magdalen Islanders that time of the year is synonymous with an old tradition : seal hunting.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is present in the sector. Their offices are located in the Cap-aux-Meules municipality. About fifteen employees, Fishery Officers, technicians, biologists and managers, work in collaboration with stakeholders to ensure that implementation of specific programmes as well as resource conservation and protection are carried out in order to maintain a profitable and autonomous fishing industry.

The Fishing Industry

The fishing industry is the Magdalen Islanders' staple economic activity. Landing values amounted to roughly 36,6 million dollars in 2000 for volumes exceeding 11,709 MT. (Note: the data included in the current section are preliminary data for the year 2000.)

Lobster is undoubtedly the most profitable resource, generating revenues approximately valued at 24,3 million dollars, representing the equivalent of 66 % of all fisheries revenues in the Magdalen Islands, against a mere 17 % of the volume landed. About 63 % (2 025 MT) of the lobster caught in Quebec originate from the Magdalen Islands.

In 2000, snow crab also generated significant revenues in the order of 8,3 million dollars although the volume harvested only represented 10 % of the overall landings recorded in Quebec.

Herring from the Magdalen Islands Archipelago represents 58 % of the herring caught in Quebec. In 2000, a volume of 4 239 MT was recorded, which represented revenues valued at $ 665 000. Even if herring represents the highest volume of landed catch, it price per kilogramme is only $ 0,16  compared with $ 12,00  for lobster.

The 2000 Stock Assessment Report summed up the fishery industry status in the North Shore, Gaspe and the Magdalen Islands for the period between January 1^st and October 31^st, 2000. For complete data on the year 2000, please visit the Statistics section of the Fisheries and Oceans Internet site.

Fishing Vessels

The fleet of fishing vessels in the Magdalen Islands rose to 412 in 2000. Almost half of the fleet was made of vessels less than 35 feet.

Fishing Licences

In 2000, about 1 358 licences were valid for fishing in the Magdalen Islands. Out of this number, 376 were issued for mackerel fishing, which represented the largest number of fishing licences issued for a single species. Herring came next with 347 fishing licences issued, whereas lobster had 328, that is 24 % of all fishing licences issued. As to fishing licences relating to snow crab, only 7 fishing licences were valid in 2000.

Fishing Ports

In 2000, there were about 19 fishing ports in the Magdalen Islands. A large number of them was managed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Statistical Data

More detailed statistical data on landings in the Magdalen Islands are also available in the various statistical reports found on our Internet site.