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MONCTON - The Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of State (Infrastructure) and Member of Parliament for Fredericton, announced today on behalf of the Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the federal government will provide funding in the amount of $425,000 for dredging at two New Brunswick harbours.
"Dredging is essential to keep these harbours safe and efficient for our fishers," said Minister Scott. "This federal funding will help ensure that both of these busy harbours continue to fulfill their important economic role in northern New Brunswick."
The entrance channels at both Pigeon Hill and Sainte-Marie-sur-Mer have filled with sand over the winter months, seriously impacting fishers' ability to safely reach their harbour. Also experiencing infill problems is the access channel at Pigeon Hill, which connects the harbour to the entrance channel and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
With the lobster season scheduled to begin on the first of May it is essential that dredging be undertaken in the next few weeks. Work at Pigeon Hill will involve the removal of 20,000 cubic metres of sand using a suction dredge. Land-based equipment will be used at Sainte-Marie-sur-Mer to remove 8,000 cubic metres of sand.
When completed, the dredging projects will provide safer navigation for the fishers who depend on these harbours and their facilities.
The projects will be implemented by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, as part of its Small Craft Harbours Program, in cooperation with the Harbour Authorities, which manage and operate the facilities for local users. Such close cooperation with clients allows the federal government to continue to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada in support of commercial fishers.
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