by Marc Laframboise MMNN Contributor

Located on the south shore of the lower Saint Lawrence River about 190 kilometres north of Québec City, the picturesque Wolastogiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation, the only Maliseet community in the Province of Québec has added a major component to its already thriving commercial fishery activities. Also known as the Maliseets of Viger, the community recently acquired a new electric hybrid fishing vessel.

The adventure began in 2021 when community leaders attended a boat show and conference in the region. On display were Québec-built aluminum boats which would make excellent fishing vessels for near-shore and mid-shore fisheries. Only steel vessels can be used to fish in the high seas. A company called Chantier Navale FMP based in Newport on the Gaspé Peninsula was marketing its new prototype hybrid aluminum fishing vessel.

Following discussions and an extensive information-gathering process, the community arrived at a decision to acquire one electric hybrid aluminum fishing vessel for their lobster fishery. The vessel is 36 feet long and 12 feet wide. The final stages of construction at the FMP shipyard recently ended and the vessel was delivered to the community in the second week of May, 2023. It can safely hold 6 passengers or crew. The new vessel has already been given a name and will be called “Ciktek” meaning “the silent one.”

The vessel can run 5 to 6 hours in electric mode and reach speeds of 5 to 7 nautical miles (knots) per hour. The m ...

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