An ice fisherman from Quebec spent two and a half hours battling a massive 244-pound halibut in the Saguenay Fjord over the weekend. This catch marked the largest Atlantic halibut ever documented in the region. Marc-André Galbrand, the president of the basin committee, Comité de bassin de la Baie des Ha! Ha! (CBBH), described the halibut as a challenging fish to catch, emphasizing the need for patience and physical endurance due to the strain it puts on the fisherman’s arms.
Alain Hamel, fishing in the L’Anse-Saint-Jean sector of the fjord, successfully reeled in the colossal two-meter-long halibut, surpassing last year’s record of a 194-pound halibut caught by the team. This fishing expedition, conducted in collaboration with the local Fjord Museum, was part of a scientific initiative aimed at further understanding the species.
Although fishing for Atlantic halibut is prohibited in the Saguenay Fjord, participants in the project catch, tag, and transfer the fish to the museum for analysis. The bones in the halibut’s head provide valuable insights into its migration patterns. The halibut caught will be weighed, examined, and the meat distributed to the fishermen involved in the project as a reward.
Another significant catch was made by Jérôme Rousseau off the coast of Sainte-Rose-du-Nord on the Saguenay River this season, representing a personal milestone after years of participation in the scientific fishing program. The halibut was taken to the Fjord Museum for further examination post-capture.
Galbrand highlighted the depth of the water as an additional challenge in this extreme fishing sport, emphasizing the importance of caution and expertise due to the halibut’s sharp teeth. Fishing at depths ranging from 120 to 180 meters poses logistical difficulties, requiring a careful approach to safely bring up the catch from the depths.
Following the record-breaking catch, scientific fishing for Atlantic Halibut in the fjord was temporarily halted to avoid exceeding the quota. Out of the 35 halibut allowed under the scientific fishing permit, 27 have been caught, with plans to allocate the remaining eight through a lottery system to selected fishers, akin to restricted zones for other wildlife.
This successful fishing expedition showcases the collaborative efforts and dedication of the fishermen involved in studying and conserving the Atlantic halibut population in the Saguenay Fjord.
