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LABRADOR – Lawrence O’Brien, Member of Parliament for Labrador, announced today, on behalf of the Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the federal government is funding approximately $2 million in harbour improvement projects in Newfoundland and Labrador.
"Maintaining our harbours for the benefit of our coastal communities and our fisheries is an essential component of this government’s economic and social agenda" said Mr. O’Brien.
L’Anse-au-Clair – The configuration of the small boat basin in the harbour creates turbulence by permitting waves to wrap around the head block section of the breakwater. In this project, the basin entrance will be reconfigured using the existing stone in order to dissipate waves before coming into the basin. The work will ensure that the small vessel fishing fleet using this harbour has a safe haven to berth their vessels.
L’Anse-au-Loup – Space available for the commercial fishing fleet at this very important harbour on the Labrador coast is limited for both offloading and servicing. The main breakwater/wharf offers very little protection during severe storm conditions and does not provide enough berthage to accommodate the large fleet using the harbour. The project will extend the present facility to provide additional berthage and service area to the fleet as well as increase the level of protection during storm conditions. Work which began last year will be completed this fiscal year.
An additional project at L’Anse-au-Loup this year will improve the service area located behind the facilities in the harbour and provide much needed water, parking, and electrical services to users.
Nain – This project will extend the existing finger pier wharf to provide much needed shelter and berthage for vessels utilizing this harbour in Labrador’s northernmost community. The project will rectify deficiencies in the current structure that make it unsafe for vessels mooring and landing their product at this site in rough weather conditions. Project planning was completed last year and the construction phase will proceed and be completed this year.
St. Lewis – The harbour authority and harbour users have raised issues about the lack of safe, adequate docking facilities in this northern community. Fishers are particularly concerned about the security and risk for their vessels when berthed in the harbour during stormy conditions. This project will extend the existing marginal wharf, as a replacement for the old dilapidated wharf in front of the fish plant. This will provide much needed docking space within this harbour.
In addition, the project started last year to conduct wharf repairs and install an electrical system on the marginal wharf at Black Tickle will be completed this year.
These projects will be implemented by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as part of its Small Craft Harbours Program, in cooperation with the local harbour authorities that manage and operate the facilities for the benefit of 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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