During the summer of 2014, surveys by Fisheries and Oceans Canada captured about 30 grass pickerel in Quebec. This species had not been observed in the province in over 25 years. The fish were found in six tributaries of the south shore of Saint François Lake.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, along with its National Contaminants Advisory Group, recently announced three grants to Quebec researchers totalling $687,000. An invitation was sent out to Canadian universities this past spring to study the biological effects of contaminants on aquatic species. The Department has committed to investing $2,450,000 in 12 related research projects across the country over three years.

The Fisheries and Oceans Canada regional management team is pleased to welcome France Simard as Area Director, Gaspe–Lower St. Lawrence. Ms. Simard will work with Vincent Malouin until his retirement in January 2015.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is continuing its efforts to better understand the impact of climate change on the St. Lawrence's marine ecosystem. Scientific teams in the Quebec region are therefore conducting several research projects to learn more about the situation.

Voluntary measures applicable to commercial vessels and cruise ships navigating the St. Lawrence Estuary were implemented in 2013 in an effort to reduce the risk of collisions with whales. The results after the first year have been highly encouraging. These voluntary measures aimed to reduce speeds at the head of the Laurentian Channel off Tadoussac and identify an area to avoid downstream of Les Escoumins. The data show that in 2013, a considerable number of vessels reduced their cruising speed in the whales' feeding areas, thereby significantly reducing the risk of collisions.

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, met recently with representatives of the Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie (RPPSG) to discuss their various projects, initiatives and accomplishments.

The village of Harrington Harbour on the Lower North Shore had the opportunity to showcase its hospitality during a visit by the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on August 18, 2014. Minister Shea was welcomed by various representatives of the local harbour authority, fishing industry and community at large.

The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program (RFCPP) was launched by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in June 2013. This program aims to bring together partners with the goal of improving the long-term sustainability and productivity of the recreational fishery through the recovery and rehabilitation of the habitats of fish species targeted by recreational fishing.

The 144th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) was held in Québec on August 17–21, 2014, under the theme From Fisheries Research to Management: Think and Act Locally and Globally. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Quebec Region, was responsible for organizing this year's meeting. AFS's mission to improve the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems is closely aligned with DFO's mission. Its members are mainly professionals, mostly from the scientific community as well as the fisheries resources field (scientists, managers, consultants, professors, researchers, students, industry members, etc.).

Since 2009, the Government of Canada has provided the the Canadian Coast Guard with a number of high-performance vessels.  These include two vessels dedicated in Quebec during the summer of 2014: the CCGS Leim and the CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C.