Government Of Canada Invests In Harbour Improvements On Nova Scotia's South Shore

November 24, 2007

BRIDGEWATER - The Government of Canada continued its support for the work of Nova Scotia’s commercial fish harvesters today with the announcement of new investments in safe and efficient harbour facilities.

Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore -- St. Margaret’s, announced on behalf of the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the federal government will provide more than $188,000 for projects at four harbours in southern Nova Scotia.

"Engineering and planning projects like these are an investment in the future of fish harvesters on Nova　Scotia’s south shore," said Keddy. "These projects will establish what each harbour needs and pave the way for future repair and construction projects."

Overcrowding at Lower East Pubnico is creating concerns around operational safety and efficiency. Advance engineering will take place over the coming months for a future harbour development project to expand and improve the harbour for fish harvesters.

Engineering work will also take place at West Dover to provide the necessary information for a future project to reconstruct the wharf.

At West Green Harbour, engineering will be undertaken in preparation for a future deck reconstruction project which will help ensure safe use of the wharf over the long term.

At Jones Harbour, dredging took place in the basin area to allow vessels safe access to and from the harbour. Repairs were also made to a portion of the access road leading to the wharf that was washed out during a recent storm.

These projects will be implemented by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans as part of its Small Craft Harbours Program in cooperation with the Harbour Authorities which manage and operate the facilities for local users. 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.