ANDERSON OPENS CCG SAR OPERATIONS AND FISHERIES MANAGEMENT FACILITIES AT BELLA BELLA
 

Bella Bella, B.C. - The Honourable David Anderson, Member of Parliament for Victoria, officially opened the new Canadian Coast Guard Station and Fisheries Management Office Bella Bella on behalf of Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans today. The new 47 ft Multi-Task High Endurance Lifeboat CCGC Cape Farewell which is the vessel currently assigned to the station, was also named and dedicated at the ceremony.

“Given the isolation of Bella Bella, fishery officers residing in this area are able to work more effectively with local communities and respond to issues that warrant their attention,” said Mr. Anderson. “The opening of the Fisheries Management Office in Bella Bella will help promote a stronger relationship with the First Nations and local community.”

“The positioning of the Station and assignment of cutter Cape Farewell to the Bella Bella area has greatly improved our search and rescue capability in BC’s Central Coast area,” said John Adams, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard. “Search and rescue is a core activity of the Canadian Coast Guard and a priority of the Government of Canada.”

Since the 1920’s, fishery officers have been a part of the Bella Bella area. DFO’s presence on Denny Island was first established in 1948, with the construction of a residence and office. Today’s opening represents an important link in the history of the area. The new fisheries management facilities include two freestanding residences and a duplex, along with an office and shared site facilities space. The new Bella Bella site will, when fully staffed, be home to three fishery officers, a Field Supervisor and their families. The site will also serve as a base for resource management and other DFO staff during key times of the year such as salmon and herring openings.

In 2001, the Government of Canada announced that CCG would establish a new Coast Guard Station to provide Search and Rescue and other Coast Guard services in the community of Bella Bella on the central coast of British Columbia, as part of the SAR Integrity Program. The location of the station was determined in a rigorous seven-step site selection process that involved, among other things, a study of current search and rescue coverage and marine activity in the area. CCG Station Bella Bella and CCGC Cape Farewell, the assigned vessel, became operational in June. To date, it has responded to 24 search and rescue incidents.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans looks forward working with the area residents of Bella Bella to enhance maritime safety, and the conservation and sustainable use of Canada's fisheries resources.

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