Minister Shea and MP Kerr Announce Funding for Emergency Dredging at Cape St. Mary

CAPE ST. MARY, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - June 24, 2014) - The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced with Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova, that the Government of Canada is undertaking emergency dredging at Cape St. Mary.

A hydrographic survey carried out in the spring of 2014 showed that major dredging of the harbour, particularly at the channel entrance, is required to ensure the safety of the harbour for all users.

In the last six years, over $1 million has been invested at this harbour for basin and channel dredging, wharf repairs and preparations for a major capital construction project which will include a new breakwater and groyne extension, to be announced at a later date.

Additional Nova Scotia harbour projects will be announced at a later date.

Quick Facts

• Homeport to 14 vessels and 42 fish harvesters, the Cape St. Mary harbour attracts many more vessels and continues to support fisheries worth over $5 million annually. As well, approximately nine transient vessels make use of the facilities.
• The emergency dredging at Cape St. Mary is part of the Government of Canada's investment of approximately $106 million in repair, construction, maintenance and dredging projects across Canada.
• This includes regular, annual funding and an additional $40 million over two years, as announced in Economic Action Plan 2014.
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada undertakes projects in cooperation with the local harbour authorities that manage and operate the facilities for local users.
• The Small Craft Harbours Program is responsible for over 1000 small craft harbours across Canada.

Quotes

"Small craft harbours are critical for the Canadian fishing industry, and an important part of our culture and economy. This investment at Cape St. Mary demonstrates our Government's commitment to supporting a network of safe and efficient harbours for commercial fisheries and communities across Canada."

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

"Harbours need consistent maintenance to continue operating safely and efficiently. Dredging will provide users, particularly those with larger vessels, access to the harbour and increase marine safety by maintaining the charted depths of the channels."

Mr. Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova

Associated Links

Small Craft Harbours

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sch-ppb/aboutsch-aproposppb-eng.asp