Shellfish Harvesting
Harvesting bivalve shellfish is very popular in Quebec's coastal regions. Fisheries and Oceans Canada closely monitors shellfish harvesting and the shellfish areas closed to harvesting.
Human Health Risks
Bivalve shellfish filter water to feed on the micro-organisms it contains. Thus they can amass high concentrations of certain toxic organisms such as toxic algae or pathogenic bacteria.
With the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada work together to monitor shellfish safety and to close shellfish areas that pose a risk to human health.
Areas Closed Off to Harvesting
Harvesters wishing to harvest shellfish must first check the shellfish areas status and comply with the regulations in effect.To find out which harvest sites are safe, you can visit the web site SHELLI : (S)hellfish, (H)arvest, (E)xtents, (L)atitude, (L)ongitude, (I)nformation or call one of the telephone numbers below.
24-hour recorded information lines:
- LOWER ST. LAWRENCE AND GASPÉ PENINSULA
From St-Roch-des-Aulnaies to Cap-Gaspé: 1-800-463-0607 *
From Cap-Gaspé to the Matapédia River: 1-800-463-4204 *
- CHARLEVOIX, NORTH SHORE AND ANTICOSTI ISLAND
From Québec to Baie-Trinité: 1-800-463-8558 *
From Baie-Trinité to Natashquan: 1-800-463-1736 *
From Kegaska to Blanc-Sablon: 1-800-463-8558 *
- MAGDALEN ISLANDS: 418-986-3882
* Number not available outside of this area.
In addition, the harvesting of shellfish less than 125 metres from a wharf is banned at all times because of the contamination risk.
Shellfish harvesting areas can be closed off for public health reasons or for conservation purposes. Under the Management of Contaminated Fisheries Regulations, it is forbidden to harvest shellfish in closed off areas. Shellfish areas closed off for public health reasons are identified by interdiction posters in the harvesting areas. Fisheries officers patrol closed beds to ensure that no unsafe shellfish are taken; if necessary, violators are ticketed.
Consult this Web page to find out which shellfish harvest areas are open or closed for harvesting in real time.
Recreational Hand Harvesting
Shellfish harvesting is regulated to ensure resource conservation. As a result, harvesters must comply with the following regulations:
- Recreational harvesting should be carried out with manual tools only.
- Recreational harvesting of Iceland scallop, giant scallop, whelks, oysters and Stimpson's surfclams is forbidden at all times.
- The species and daily catch limits permitted vary according to sector.
In sectors where it is permitted to fish these species, harvesters should respect the following minimum sizes:
|
Species |
Minimum size permitted* |
|---|---|
|
Soft-shell clam (cockle) |
51 mm |
|
Atlantic clam (clams) |
76 mm |
|
Blue mussel |
40 mm |
|
Atlantic razor clam |
100 mm |
* The minimum size is measured at the longest part of the shell.
Commercial Hand Harvesting
In Quebec, commercial harvesting of bivalve shellfish plays a key role in the economy of coastal regions. Just over 300 commercial harvesting licences are granted for bivalve shellfish. The industry's annual landing values represent between 2.5 and 4-million dollars.
Issuing of Special Licences for Harvesting Contaminated Shellfish
Fisheries and Oceans Canada can issue shellfish licences to harvest contaminated shellfish for decontamination or scientific purposes under the Management of Contaminated Fisheries Regulations.
Research on Coastal Shellfish
Assessment of Softshell Clam Stocks in Quebec’s Coastal Waters
Science Advisory Report 2023/018
For information on commercial harvesting, contaminated shellfish harvesting and recreational harvesting, contact the Fisheries and Oceans Canada office in your sector.
Other useful links