About Us
The main activities of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Quebec Region, are the management and protection of marine fisheries, marine science research and marine safety, and the protection of fish habitat in marine and freshwater environments. We also maintain multiple small craft harbours and have partnerships with harbour authorities.
Several programs and activities are directed from the regional office in Quebec City and implemented from sector offices throughout the region. The Regional Science Branch and the Ecosystem Management Branch are located at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute in Mont-Joli.
The Quebec Region has more than 1,600 employees in ten cities. It provides a wide range of services to a diverse clientele, including commercial and Indigenous fish harvesters, the maritime industry, port authorities, recreational boaters, environmentalists, socio-economic groups, educational organizations and the scientific community.
Our area offices
The Quebec region has three maritime area offices. Area office staff play an essential role in planning, coordinating, and delivering the Department's services to communities in these territories.
North Shore Area
The North Shore Sector covers a vast territory between Quebec City and Blanc-Sablon, including Saguenay and Anticosti Island. Dotted with small, isolated communities that live almost exclusively from fishing on the Lower North Shore, the sector is also home to a significant marine mammal watching industry.
In addition to the North Shore Area office located in Sept-Îles, DFO has three district offices in Baie-Comeau, Havre-Saint-Pierre, and Blanc-Sablon.
Gaspésie–Bas-Saint-Laurent Area
The Gaspésie–Bas-Saint-Laurent sector covers the south shore of the St. Lawrence River from Quebec City, the Gaspé Peninsula, and the north shore of Chaleur Bay. It accounts for more than half of Quebec's marine species landings and has an extensive network of fishing ports.
This area has a main office in Gaspé and two district offices in Grande-Rivière and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts.
Îles-de-la-Madeleine Area
The Magdalen Islands sector serves the population of this archipelago in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The fishing industry, particularly lobster fishing, plays a major role in the economy of the Magdalen Islands, and seal hunting remains an important socioeconomic activity.
The area office can be found in Cap-aux-Meules.