Ghislain Cyr

Ghislain Cyr is a groundfish fisher and sealer who has dedicated his career and civic life to the health and well-being of coastal communities and to the food security and sovereignty of the province.

For many researchers, Ghislain Cyr already has a PhD from the sea. Through the years, he’s supported research as a go-between to connect communities and researchers. He’s also helped improve data collection methods in health and social and marine sciences.

As a mentor, he worked with a social enterprise startup in Îles-de-la-Madeleine to commercialize seal harvest byproducts. In 2018 he provided the inspiration for “Mange ton Saint-Laurent!” a collective promoting foods from the St. Lawrence River.

He embodies the planetary health approach with erudition and generosity. His in-depth understanding of the oceans has been amply demonstrated—their complex effects on community health and vice versa. Having witnessed first hand the transformation of the St. Lawrence ecosystem, he sounded the alarm and fought for its protection.

He has always understood the language of nature and sought to use it wisely without overexploitation. His advocacy of a fishery that respects the environment, is sustainable for future generations, and is rooted in the culture of communities has been a key part of public debate. He’s raised awareness among decision makers and the general public of how the climate crisis is affecting the Atlantic Ocean and coastal communities.

Currently he’s involved in a Faculty of Medicine research project that looks at the effects of climate change on the mental health of Gaspé and Îles-de-la-Madeleine fishers and looks for possible ways forward.

Université Laval awards an Honorary Doctorate in Medicine to Ghislain Cyr in recognition of his work on behalf of the food security and sovereignty of coastal communities and his vision for planetary health.