SHELBURNE OFFICE CELEBRATES OFFICIAL OPENING

Dartmouth, N.S. -- Neil A. Bellefontaine, Regional Director-General of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Maritimes Region, wishes to advise the public of the opening of a new office in Shelburne, N. S. The office houses staff from Conservation and Protection and Small Craft Harbours.

I am pleased that our Shelburne area staff now have a modern facility designed to accommodate their unique work," said Mr. Bellefontaine. "As well, having all our local staff in one accessible office allows the department to better serve the needs of the public.

The convenient location of the new office makes Fisheries and Oceans employees more accessible to fishers, members of local harbour authorities as well as the general public. It also contains facilities that will make the work of Fishery Officers more efficient such as a warehouse that can accommodate patrol vessels and other equipment.

The Shelburne office is one of a number of Fishery Service Centres now "on line" throughout the region to effectively respond to the operational requirements of the Fisheries Management Sector and, in particular, the Conservation and Protection Branch. These offices also respond to other sectors of the department, such as Small Craft Harbours, Oceans and Environment Branch, and the Navigable Waters Protection program of the Canadian Coast Guard.

Future offices are planned for Sydney, Saint Peters, Liverpool, Baddeck, Ingonish, Digby, Truro, Tusket, North Head, Canso and Sheet Harbour in Nova Scotia, as well as Saint John, Saint George, Woodstock, Lord's Cove and Wilson's Beach in New Brunswick.

The Shelburne office is located at 362 Ohio Road, just off Highway 103 and is open weekdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm. To contact local Fishery Officers, please call (902) 875-2360. To reach local Small Craft Harbours staff, please call (902) 875-3391.

FOR INFORMATION:

Wendy Williams
Communications
Maritimes Region
Dartmouth, N.S.
(902) 426-6409
WilliamsW@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca