NR-HQ-01-69E

Bradshaw announces Federal Investment of $2.5 million for projects at small craft harbours in New Brunswick

June 29, 2001

MONCTON - The Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for Moncton - Riverview - Dieppe, announced today on behalf of the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the federal government will invest $2.5 million in harbour improvements at several fishing harbours in New Brunswick.

"Harbours need consistent repair for their safe and efficient operation," said Mrs. Bradshaw. "This funding will make a real difference to those in the communities who rely on these harbours for their livelihood." At Miscou, the project will consist of installing 140 metres of new floating docks to replace the existing floats that have reached the end of their useful life. This new infrastructure will provide fishers will safe berthing facilities.

Dredging will be undertaken at several fishing harbours including: the entrance channel at Pigeon Hill as well as the channel that connects Pigeon-Hill and Miscou; the entrance channel at Ste-Marie-sur-Mer; the basin and channel at Ingalls Head; the basin at Seal Cove; and the channel at White Head. This will greatly improve the navigability to and from these harbours and ensure that fishers have safe access to their fishing grounds.

Basin dredging and floating dock installation will be carried out at Miller Brook (Salmon Beach) in order to restore conditions to safe operating standards.

Several projects that began last year will also be completed during the upcoming months. These include: dredging of the basin at Anse-Bleue as well as the reconstruction and repairs of the wharves at Back Bay, Chance Harbour, and Pigeon Hill. With the completion of these projects, harbour safety and operations will be significantly improved.

As well, this investment will see the undertaking of other important work that was necessary because of last October’s storm. Projects include the completion of the slipway reconstruction at Anse-Bleue, shore protection repairs at Le Goulet, deck reconstruction at Val-Comeau, as well as wharf repairs at Petit-Rocher and Pointe-Verte.

These projects will be undertaken by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Small Craft Harbours Program, in close collaboration with the Harbour Authorities who manage and operate these facilities for the benefit of local users. It is this close cooperation with clients that enables the federal government to continue to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada in support of commercial fisheries.