Heritage activists are expressing concern about the fate of Quebec's lighthouses after 164 were declared surplus property by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

The lighthouses, 86 active and 78 inactive, were declared surplus on May 29, when the new Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act came into force.

It is now up to individuals, municipalities and community-based non-profit groups to try to take over the surplus lighthouses, the department said. Interested parties have two years to come up with a plan.