Magdalen Islands lobster: a new project for the sustainability of the resource

A new initiative aimed at replenishing the lobster population has just been announced in the Magdalen Islands.

This is a preliminary hatchery project for stocking purposes on the seabed in which the RPPCI intends to invest this spring.

“The goal is to give back to nature what we take away from it,” said the president of the organization, Charles Poirier, who presented this preliminary draft on Wednesday at the annual general meeting of members. We fish 80 to 90% of the resource [commerciale disponible] every year. So if we could produce a certain percentage of larvae, to put them back into the water column, that would allow us to help fatten the stock; it would be very good for the future.”

The project, which remains to be detailed, particularly in terms of the budget that will be allocated to it, will be carried out in collaboration with the Merinov Center for Aquaculture and Fisheries Innovation in Quebec. The idea is to take eggs from the females just before they hatch, control their growth in the tank until they reach an optimal larval stage, and then deposit them in so-called nursery habitats.

“Already, for several years, we have been identifying nurseries around the Islands, explained Mr. Poirier. We have several projects with Merinov, aimed at the sustainability of the resource. So we already have a long way to go.”

Charles Poirier admits that his organization was inspired by the work of the Association of Professional Fishermen of Southern Gaspésie which, since 2010, has offset 3 to 5% of the annual lobster catch by stocking larvae. “But our project is distinct,” he says. We do not want to copy and paste what is done in the Gaspé.”