From June 1-5, 2014, Rimouski played host to the 48th annual congress of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS). This major scientific event attracted nearly 400 specialists from across Canada and beyond. CMOS is the premier Canadian scientific society dedicated to oceanic and atmospheric science. Its annual congress provides an excellent forum for exchanges between scientists from academia, government and the private sector.

A new invasive species, detected in 2007 in the Cap-aux-Meules fishing harbour, is proliferating at an worrying rate. Vase tunicate (Ciona intestinalis) is an invasive tunicate from Northern Europe that is spread by ocean currents and human activities. This tunicate competes with bivalves such as blue mussels for food and space. By attaching itself to mariculture structures, it affects the survival and quality of farmed animals and reduces their productivity.

This past winter, ships from the Magdalen Islands could not reach the harp seals because of the very thick ice. Ice conditions were excellent for harp seal pupping, but the herd quickly drifted away in early March, once the pack ice began to break down.

This last April, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) completed its fifth report on climate change. The report reinforces the main conclusions of the previous four reports, published in 1990, 1996, 2001 and 2007.

Every year, Fisheries and Oceans Canada presents five awards to people and organizations for their commitment to recreational fishing in Canada. The Canada’s National Recreational Fisheries Awards honours those who have contributed to the conservation, recovery or enhancement of recreational fishing and fish habitat. These people and organizations play and will continue to play a very important role in supporting and promoting this type of fishing all across the country.

We all experienced it: winter 2013–2014 was one of the coldest, with some of the worst ice conditions in the last 20 years. Needless to say, the Canadian Coast Guard's (CCG) icebreaking services were severely tested in ensuring that commercial shipping kept moving efficiently and safely through the St. Lawrence–Great Lakes waterway.

The Pointe-aux-Loups port in the Magdalen Islands is a fishing harbour that serves a permanent local fleet of eight vessels along with a few transient vessels. It is considered a port of refuge because of its location: inshore fishing vessels caught in a storm on the north shore of the Magdalen Islands can seek refuge there.

Since May 30, thirty-six inshore rescuers are at the ready, in the fluvial lakes and on the St. Lawrence River upstream from Deschambault–Grondines. These students and naval reservists are sharing search and rescue missions coordinated by the Québec City Marine Rescue Sub-Centre until September 1^st.

As part of the 144th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society (AFS), the Research and Innovation for Sustainable Fishing in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf symposium will be held on August 18 and 19, 2014, at the Québec City Convention Centre. The symposium is an initiative of stakeholders from the Quebec fisheries sector. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided for an international audience.