Scientific activities

• Maurice Lamontagne Institute 

• List of Institute scientists 

• Recurring scientific field work in Quebec 

• Scientific advice 

• Nautical charts and hydrographic services 

Every year, our teams work to support the Department's mandate to protect our oceans, freshwater, aquatic ecosystems, and species from the negative effects of human activities and invasive species. We achieve this by relying on scientific evidence. 

Our scientific teams:

• document more than 40 fish and invertebrate stocks to assess their health and abundance and provide advice on the conservation and management of these resources;
• apply biotechnology principles to promote healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems; 
• monitor oceanographic conditions, which helps document climate change and find solutions to reduce its impacts; 
• conduct research and apply the results to ensure safe and accessible waterways.

In addition, several of our teams also work on aquatic ecosystem management. They help to: 

• implement measures for the protection and sustainable management of marine and freshwater resources in Quebec. 
• effectively manage human activities that impact aquatic ecosystems by ensuring compliance with the Fisheries Act, the Oceans Act, and the Species at Risk Act. 
• identify the protection and mitigation measures needed to: 
  • counter invasive aquatic species; 
  • improve the quality of aquatic habitats; 
  • protect and restore species at risk. 

We also have underwater diving teams made up of experienced divers equipped with modern, certified equipment to carry out work in Canadian waters at depths of up to 40 meters.

Our staff also participates in several national and international monitoring and research networks in the North Atlantic.  

We share our scientific data online and on the St. Lawrence Global Observatory website.