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In 1973, the then Department
of Fisheries began construction of 25 Marine Services Centres (MSC's)
throughout the province to service fishermen and their boats. (View
Map of Marine Service Centres.)
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These MSC's provided haulout
and launching services, and on-site vessel storage. Most
MSC's provide rental tools and electricity for a small fee and, many
centres stocked parts and supplies for sale to users of the MSC.
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In 1992, Government decided to
lease the operation of MSC's to private companies and community groups.
Private operators provided expanded services to users of the Centres and
were generally more in tune with fishermen users in local areas.
Government was quick to recognize the benefits of private operation and,
in 1997, moved to fully privatize the MSC's. Lessees were given the first
opportunity to purchase their Centre.
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To date, twenty one (21) Centres
have been sold outright to private companies, a further two (2) are in
the process of being sold via Lease/Purchase Agreements and the
remainder continue to be leased and operated by private companies.
Government continues negotiations with all of the Lessees with a view to
selling all of the remaining government-owned MSCs. (Click to
View.)
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