The forest

Public forests reorganization

1^st transformation plants on the territory

Private forests possibilities for the Gaspésie Peninsula in the range of 585,000 cubic miters

Strong potential for 2^nd and 3^rd transformation

Agriculture

There are several farms, mainly aimed at animal production and generating an annual turnover of
$1 500 000;

The production of vegetables is of little importance. This means underlines there is room available for raising production volumes and the creation of new enterprises;

The soil is of very good quality considering the fact that it is little cultivated and that the use of pesticides has been very restricted;

Commercial maple groves are present on the territory;

Good climatic conditions, the abundance of forest, the genetic quality of herds for butchering, the strong potential for maple products and the presence of labels of origin for regional products are some of the advantages of our RCM.

Mines

Strong mineral potential due to a favourable geological environment;

Presence of metallic substances (copper, lead, zinc, chromite, gold and silver), of industrial material (limestone, dolomite, silica, barite, perlite and bentonite, to name a few), of construction material (granite, gabbro, diabase, limestone) and hydrocarbons (gas and petroleum) show the wealth and mining diversity of our territory;

Agate picking, a tourist attraction, and other minerals such as amethyst and gaspeite for knowledgeable collectors;

Regional mining fund (FRAPMGIM-Fonds regional d'assistance à la prospection minière de la Gaspésie et des Îles-de-la-Madeleine) offering grants to prospectors having exploration projects; Regional office of the Ministère des Ressources naturelles located in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts gives access to human resources for documentation and advice concerning your projects.

Fishing

Four enterprises linked to the first transformation of sea products and one to the second transformation (smoked fish);

Stocks of invertebrates (scallops, oysters, soft shell and hard shell clams, sea urchins, common crab and spider crab) and the biomass of pelagic fish (herring, mackerel, capelin) can be situated close to or above average on a long term basis;

Strong potential for under-exploited species;

Business and commerce

Entrepreneurs buy regional products and use local services. They find the materials and equipment they need here;

This sector closely follows the evolution of the consumers' needs.

Strong demand for diversifying our economy.

Le tourisme

In 2005, there was 160 business in Haute-Gaspésie relates to the tourist industry.

Responsible for 465 jobs and 1 395 indirect jobs (2003);

Payroll evaluated at more than 19 million dollars (2003);

The Parc national de la Gaspésie assures the maintenance of some 180 jobs and attracts more than 157 000 people a year (2004-2005);

Tourists are mainly attracted by: the splendid nature, large number of activities, interpretation centers and unique sites.

The perfect place for tourism and a great potential for its development. Here are a few examples of the resources available on the territory:

• Sea excursions
• Salmon fishing on three magnificent rivers
• Nautical activities and scuba diving
• Hiking in Parc national de la Gaspésie and the Chic-Chocs Reserve
• Multi-day hikes on the International Appalachian Trail
• Hang-gliding and paragliding on Mont Saint-Pierre
• Snowmobile outings on 2 000 km of trails crisscrossing the peninsula
• Observation of wind turbines in Canada's biggest windmill park as well as the highest vertical axis wind turbine in the world
• Mountain biking on several trails
• Geode picking at the Mont Lyall agate mine
• Guided visits of lighthouses that are still in operation
• Longest underground salmon route in the world
• From « Tree to Tree » activity