Minister Shea and MP Keddy Announce Funding at Eight Small Craft Harbours in Shelburne County

NEWELLTON, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - March 28, 2015) - The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, joined by Gerald Keddy, MP for South Shore - St. Margaret's, announced today that the Government of Canada will invest approximately $7.7 million over the next two years in harbour improvement projects at eight harbours in Shelburne County. These projects will provide a safer and more efficient working environment for commercial fishermen.

This investment will support the following projects:

• Bear Point - replacement of the deteriorated wharf
• Clark's Harbour - replacement of a deteriorated section of the wharf
• Cripple Creek - basin dredging
• Newellton - reconstruction of the stem and outer sections of the wharf, and installation of a new electrical system on the entire wharf
• Stoney Island - construction of a breakwater
• Falls Point - completion of the installation of a new electrical system, which began last year
• Ingomar - replacement of deteriorated floating wharves
• Lower Sandy Point - completion of wharf repairs, which began last year

Since 2006, the Government of Canada has provided an unprecedented level of funding to support investments in public infrastructure across the country. Last fall, Prime Minister Harper announced an additional investment of $5.8 billion over the next two years to build and renew infrastructure across the country to support Canadian heritage, First Nations education, defence, borders, research, small craft harbours, transportation and search and rescue. As part of this funding, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard will receive a total of approximately $551 million. This includes $288 million for harbour improvements at small craft harbours.

Quick Facts

• Newellton Harbour, located on Cape Sable Island, is home port to approximately 25 vessels and 125 fish harvesters. Nine transient vessels also use its facilities.
• The primary species fished are lobster, groundfish and swordfish. Landings in 2013 represented an estimated value of over $5.5 million.
• In the last ten fiscal years, $3.1 million has been invested at this harbour.
• The Government of Canada supports more than 1000 small craft harbours across Canada. Projects are undertaken in cooperation with the local harbour authorities that manage and operate facilities for local users.
• Small craft harbours support the commercial fishing industry. Nearly 90 percent of all commercial fish harvesters in Canada use small craft harbour facilities, and their annual production represents approximately $1.6 billion.

Quotes

"For generations, hard-working Canadian men and women have made their livelihood from our waters. Without question, small craft harbours are the cornerstone of the commercial fishing industry. Today's announcement is part of our Government's ongoing commitment to support harbours, local economies and foster job creation."

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

"The commercial fishery of South Western Nova Scotia is one of the busiest and most productive in Canada. This significant federal investment will go a long way to providing fishers with the first-class harbour facilities they need. Our Government understands the importance of this country's fishery. It is important not only to our national economy, but to the many who have relied on it - for decades - as a way of life. We have and will continue to provide a safe working environment for the fishers of Nova Scotia."

Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore - St. Margaret's

"We are pleased the government is investing in harbours on Cape Sable Island. The investments will contribute significantly to our economy and will continue to support the fisheries that are so important to our communities."

Richard Crowell, Manager, Harbour Authority of Cape Sable Island

Associated Links

Small Craft Harbours

Follow us on Twitter! www.Twitter.com/DFO_MPO

IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.

This news release is available online at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.