Commercial Fisheries — Preliminary Results, 2017 Season: New Record for Landed Value in Quebec
Preliminary data for the 2017 commercial fishing season in Quebec show total landings of 54 664 tonnes, valued at $359.7 million. This represents a slight increase of 1% for the landed volume but a strong 33% growth in value.
The increase in landings of lobster (+ 47%), snow crab (+ 34%), mackerel (+ 46%) and sea cucumber (+ 19%) has barely offset the substantial decline in landings of Greenland halibut (-46%), shrimp (-29%), herring (-18%) and urchin (-13%).
The increase in the landed value is mainly due to the strong growth in the landed value of snow crab, which rose from $111.2 million in 2016 to $182.9 million in 2017, or an increase of 64%. The 23% increase in the average landed price of snow crab, combined with the increase in landed volume, explains last year's strong increase in its landed value.
In addition, the landed value of lobster increased from $76.3 million in 2016 to $116.2 million in 2017, or an increase of 52%. Like snow crab, lobster’s increase in the average landed price (+ 3%), combined with the strong increase in landings, explains the strong increase in its landed value.
Main species landed
Shrimp, snow crab and lobster remain the most landed species with 71% of the landed volume and 91% of the landed value. Pelagic fish follow, with 13% of the landed volume and 1% of the landed value. Groundfish landings, mainly Greenland Halibut, account for 6% of the landed volume and 4% of the landed value.
Breakdown of Landings by Species in 2017p
Volume (54,664 tonnes)
Value ($359.7 million)
Breakdown of landings by marine area
The Gaspé Peninsula remains Quebec’s leading marine sector, both in landed volume and landed value. In 2017, landings were as follows: 58% in the Gaspé Peninsula, 25% in the North Shore and 17% in the Magdalen Islands. The value in landings totals $184.1 million in the Gaspé Peninsula (51% of the total), $77.3 million in the North Shore (22%) and $97.3 million in the Magdalen Islands (27%). Compared to 2016, the landed value in 2017 increased by 71% in the Magdalen Islands, 28% in the Gaspé Peninsula and 12% in the North Shore.
Breakdown of Landings by Marine Area in 2017p
Volume (54,664 tonnes)
Value ($359.7 million)
Exports
For January to November 2017, Quebec marine product exports total 25 169 tonnes, for a value of $449.1 million, or an increase of 19% in volume and 35% in value over the same period last year. Year in and year out, snow crab, lobster and shrimp are Quebec’s main marine product exports, accounting for approximately 80% of the total market. The United States is Quebec’s primary marine product market with 80% of the market, followed by Japan and Europe.
- *January 8, 2018 data. The data on pelagic fish landings are still very preliminary and, for now, must be carefully interpreted. Moreover, the landed value reported herein does not take into account supplementary purchase slips (SPS) or year-end discounts granted to some buyers. These data will be updated within the next few months.
Supplementary purchase slips (SPS) include all landings not reported on the general purchase slips. This information is based on estimates drawn from four different sources: direct sales to the public, personal consumption (fish harvesters and their families, sport fishing), fish processed by fish harvesters and fish used as bait.
Martial Ménard
Strategic Services
