Regulations in the Banc-des-Américains

Guy Thibault, Fishery Officer, Fisheries and Oceans Canada: What I love most about being a fisheries officer is truly meeting people to share our common passion for the sea and effectively protecting and conserving our waterways.

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Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area - Fishery Officers

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Narrator: The Banc-des-Américains is a joint marine protected area located off the coast of the Gaspé Peninsula. It benefits from dual protection status from the governments of Canada and Quebec.

Guy Thibault: The work of fisheries officers is to protect and conserve fish habitat and marine resources. We also promote laws and regulations, whether among fishermen, certain boaters, or the general public.

Renée Gagné, Senior biologist, Marine Planning and Conservation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada: The Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area has three conservation objectives. The first one is to conserve and protect benthic habitat, which refers to the seafloor. The second objective is to protect pelagic habitat, meaning the water column, as well as forage species. Forage species are prey consumed by certain fish and whale species.

The third objective is to promote the recovery of endangered species such as the North Atlantic right whale, the blue whale, and the fin whale.

Two management zones have been established in the Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area. The first, Zone One, corresponds to the central area, which is the rocky ridge. It is an environment with high biodiversity and is very fragile. It is, among other reasons, why regulations in this area are more rigorous.

Guy Thibault: In Zone One, commercial fishing is prohibited, as well as deploying gear that may cause damage or scrape the seabed. Anchoring boats in Zone One is also prohibited, as it can harm fish habitat.

Renée Gagné: Zone Two corresponds to the plains adjacent to the rocky ridge. This sector is considered slightly less fragile, which is why certain activities may be conducted, as long as they align with conservation objectives.

Guy Thibault: Some commercial fisheries may be allowed in Zone Two, such as commercial trap fishing, longline fishing, handline fishing, or trolling. However, fishing for forage species, which are prey for certain marine mammals, is prohibited. It is also prohibited, in both Zone One and Zone Two, to discharge wastewater.

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Commercial Trap Fishing

Longline Fishing

Handline Fishing and Trolling

Narrator: Fisheries officers from Fisheries and Oceans Canada are deployed on land, at sea, and in the air to ensure compliance with federal regulations by all users of the environment, thereby preserving its integrity.

Guy Thibault: To ensure effective monitoring of the marine protected area, we use the Vessel Monitoring System. It's an electronic system that allows us to track the movements of fishermen in real-time within the marine protected area.

When we discover illegal fishing gear, we seize it, identify it, and take necessary follow-up actions with the fishermen.

In case of an infraction, legal action is pursued.

As fisheries officers, it is our duty to protect and conserve this fragile biodiversity within the Banc-des-Américains.

But it is also our duty to collaborate with fishermen, First Nations, boaters, the public, and sea excursion companies.

Our synergy ensures sustainable fishing for future generations.