May 2, 2007
MONT-JOLI (Québec) Canada`s New Government is investing $921,000 for annual
maintenance dredging at eleven fishing harbours in the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen
Islands regions of Quebec, Steven Blaney, Member of Parliament for Lévis-Bellechasse,
announced today on behalf of the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries
and Oceans.
In the Gaspé Peninsula, $416,000 is being invested for maintenance dredging
at the fishing harbours of L'Anse à Beaufils, L'Anse-à-Brillant, Les Méchins (quai
des pêcheurs), Port Daniel Est, Saint-Godefroi and Tourelles (St-Joachim).
In the Magdalen Islands, $505,000 is being invested for maintenance dredging
at the fishing harbours of Grosse-Île (Cap du Dauphin), Île d'Entrée, Millerand,
Pointe-aux-Loups and Pointe-Basse.
"Harbours are key to the economic viability of Canadian fishing communities,"
said Mr Blaney. "This significant funding investment for the Gaspé Peninsula and
the Magdalen Islands demonstrates our new government's commitment to providing safe
and functional facilities for commercial fishers."
The dredging is necessary to ensure that vessels have adequate water depth in
basins and channels. Fishers will be provided with safe navigational conditions
during the upcoming fishing season.
Dredging began in early April and will continue over the following months.
A work schedule will be provided to all Harbour Authorities so that they may inform
the fishers of the planned dredging dates for each harbour.
All these projects are being undertaken by Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Small
Craft Harbours Program, in close collaboration with the Harbour Authorities that
manage and operate the facilities for local users. Such close co-operation with
clients allows the federal government to provide an operable system of harbours
and facilities throughout Canada, in support of commercial fishers.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Michel Plamondon
Communications Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Quebec Region
418-648-5419
