Completion of a Small Craft Harbour Project to Benefit Fishermen in New Brunswick

News Release

The Government of Canada completes a major harbour improvement at Seal Cove

August 14, 2014 - Seal Cove, New Brunswick

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced with John Williamson, Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest, that the Government of Canada has completed a multi-year, major capital harbour development project at Seal Cove Harbour.

This $13.8 million project, which began in 2007, included construction of a breakwater, marginal wharf and service area, a breakwater extension, installation of floating wharves and basin dredging.

Funding invested in 2014-2015 to finish the project allowed for the completion of the service area and installation of an electrical system on the floating wharves.

This year’s work was undertaken as part of the Government of Canada’s investment of $106 million in repair, construction, maintenance and dredging projects at harbours across Canada. This includes $66 million in regular program funding for 2014-2015 and an additional $40 million over two years, as announced in Economic Action Plan 2014.

Quick Facts

Fisheries and Oceans Canada undertakes projects in cooperation with the local harbour authorities that manage and operate the facilities for local users.
Economic Action Plan 2014 provided an additional $40 million over two years for repair, construction and maintenance at Canada’s small craft harbours.
The Small Craft Harbours Program is responsible for over 1000 small craft harbours across Canada.
Seal Cove Harbour is homeport to approximately 60 vessels including 27 aquaculture vessels. The primary fisheries are lobster, sea scallop, halibut and sea urchin. Landings represented an estimated value of $30.4 million in 2012 for aquaculture and $10.7 million in 2013 for other commercial fisheries.

Quotes

“Small craft harbours, just like this one in Seal Cove, are part of the lifeblood of our coastal communities. This investment demonstrates our Government’s commitment to providing safe and functional harbours to support the commercial fishing industry, an important economic driver for coastal communities.”

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

“Our government’s significant investment in Seal Cove on Grand Manan—a staging ground for local activity in both the commercial fisheries and aquaculture industries—is part of a larger federal investment in small craft harbours across the province.”

John Williamson, Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest

Associated Links

Photo caption: The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans; and Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest, John Williamson, joined today with local officials and members of the Grand Manan Harbour Authority to celebrate the completion of major harbour redevelopment at Seal Cove, New Brunswick.

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