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Protect and enjoy

Exploramer launched the Smarter seafood program in 2009, with a focus on sustainable development and protecting the biodiversity of the St. Lawrence.

Each year, the Smarter seafood uses a specific methodology to select several species from sustainable fisheries and mariculture in Quebec. Establishments in the province that feature these species are eligible for the Smarter seafood certification.

For consumers, the species list can serve as an eco-guide for informed consumption.

One of the many advantages of this program? It is adapted to the local species and practices of Quebec.

Smarter seafood has four objectives:

Smarter seafood logo

The Eco-guide

Promote and encourage Quebecers to diversify their consumption of marine products from the St. Lawrence.

Certification

Certify restaurants, fish markets and other establishments that offer species found in the eco-guide.

Promotion

Promote sustainable fisheries and the people who work in them and celebrate the quality of Quebec’s marine products.

Democratization

Link the fishing and food industries to reduce the export of our resources and contribute to Quebec’s self-sufficiency in food.

How does a species get to be on the Smarter seafood list?

Each year, Exploramer gathers scientific and commercial information on the species of the St. Lawrence.

On the basis of this data and with the help of a committee of socio-scientific experts, the team evaluates each species according to four criteria. Those that meet all four criteria (and not just one or two) are eligible for inclusion on the Smarter seafood list.

Edibility

The species is edible

Suitable for consumption, good nutritional value and sufficient meat to ensure profitability.

Availability

In sufficient quantities in the St. Lawrence

No protected status from the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada in either the estuary or Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Type of fishing

Respectful of the ocean floor

Sustainably caught, with gear that causes little or no disturbance to the ocean floor and provides good species selectivity.

Popularity

Needs a little help to become better known

Less known or maybe even unknown. Level 2, 3 or 4 commercial status..

Commercial status

1Known, caught and eaten here and elsewhere(example: lobster, snow crab)
2Little known, fished, little eaten here(example: green sea urchin, seals, waved whelk)
3Unknown, fished, fully exported(example: rock crab, sea cucumber)
4Unknown, rejected, not used here(example: sculpin, sea raven, ocean pout, Marlin-spike)
5No commercial fishing(example: Atlantic wolffish, sculptured shrimp)

Commercial status

1Known, caught and eaten here and elsewhere(example: lobster, snow crab)
2 Little known, fished, little eaten here(example: green sea urchin, seals, waved whelk)
3Unknown, fished, fully exported(example: rock crab, sea cucumber)
4Unknown, rejected, not used here(example: sculpin, sea raven, ocean pout, Marlin-spike)
5No commercial fishing(example: Atlantic wolffish, sculptured shrimp)

This year's winners

We are pleased to present to you the 2024 Smarter seafood species

Where to find them?

There are already over 200 certified Smarter seafood establishments offering species from the list.

Check this map to see whether your favourite fish market, grocery store or even restaurant is already certified by us.

Restaurants, restaurant trucks, hotels, inns and B&Bs

  • Auberge l’Amarré, 30 1re Av E, Mont-Louis, QC G0E 1T0
  • Au Pâturage – Espace Gourmand, 2581 Rang Saint-Joseph, Sainte-Perpétue, QC J0C 1R0
  • Bistro-Bar Le Brise Bise, 135 Rue de la Reine, Gaspé, QC G4X 1T5

Caterers & Chefs at home

  • Agnus Dei Traiteur, 1280 Rue Mill bureau 201, Montréal, QC H3K 2B4
  • Capital HRS Inc., 900 Bd René-Lévesque E, Québec, QC G1R 2B5

Producers, fishermen, mariculturists and harvesters

  • Seabiosis | Produits fins d’algues de la Gaspésie | Kombu Royal | Gaspésie, 32 Rue Vermette, Carleton, QC G0C 1J0
  • Un Océan de Saveurs Inc., 1183 Bd de Saint-Majorique, Gaspé, QC G4X 6S9

Fishmongers

  • Au Quai 33 – Poissonnerie – Café, 3625A Rue Georges Couture, Drummondville, QC J2B 8A6
  • Chez Cévic, 486 Bd Ste Anne O, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, QC G4V 1T5
  • La Poissonnerie _ Notre-Dame-du-Laus, 46 route 309 SUD, Notre-Dame-du-Laus, QC J0X 2M0

Grocery shops

  • Coopérative de consommation de l’île d’Anticosti, 6 Rue des Olympiades, Port-Menier, QC G0G 2Y0
  • Marché Viens Metro, 686 Bd Perron, Carleton-sur-Mer, QC G0C 1J0
  • Metro Amqui, 30 Bd St Benoît E Local 10, Amqui, QC G5J 2B7

Others

  • Couleur Chocolat- ÉCONOMUSÉE du Chocolatier, 36 2e Rue O, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, QC G4V 2H1
  • Exploramer, 1 rue du Quai, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, QC G4V 2B6
  • Poissonnerie Aux Deux Marées, 731 Rue des Aulnes, Amos, QC J9T 3V9

Results220

A bite in the right direction

In addition to managing the Smarter seafood program, Exploramer offers a variety of tools and activities.

At the museum, sea outings are organized to introduce participants to sustainable fishing. Additionally, the “Dare to Taste” activity has been set up to let participants try five Smarter seafood products.

Online, the Smarter seafood platform for Quebec marine products was launched in 2023. It connects sellers and professional buyers to make St. Lawrence products more accessible.

Bateau Exploramer sur l'eau, vu de profil
icone représentant un livre
During the summer, Exploramer organizes numerous boat outings to learn more about fishing and the species living in the St. Lawrence.
Credit: Exploramer

There remains a way to go for Quebec marine products to earn their well-deserved place in our diet. Our challenge? Try out at least seven items from the Smarter seafood list.

To change our eating habits, we have to be bold. Are you ready?

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