ALMA, NB, Aug. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - The community of Alma, New Brunswick is welcoming a significant federal investment in its local harbour. Coastal communities across Canada are supported by small craft harbours that provide the commercial fishing industry with safe and accessible facilities. With approximately 44,000 Canadians employed in this sector, the Government of Canada is making investments to renew its network of small craft harbours and work with municipalities and other stakeholders where investments and divestitures can enhance local communities.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, along with Alaina Lockhart, Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal, announced that the Government of Canada is making important investments over two years for repairs to the Alma harbour.
The investment will cover the reconstruction of breakwaters, which will provide safer navigation for harbour users sailing to and from their fishing grounds, and protect existing facilities at the harbour. Reconstruction will begin this year and is scheduled to be completed by December 2019.
There are approximately 20 homeport vessels at the Alma harbour, and landings are primarily lobster and sea scallop. 2016 landings represented 800 metric tonnes, valued at approximately $7.8 million. Approximately $7.2 million has been invested at this harbour since 2015.
Quotes
"Investments that help improve communities are a priority for our Government. When we invest in the community, Canadians and the Canadian economy benefit. Small Craft Harbour investments demonstrate the federal government's commitment to local economies. I am so happy I could be here in Alma to announce this investment as one of many that will support Canada's fishing industry—a key economic sector that helps support coastal communities across the country."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
"Reconstructing this breakwater is crucial to ensure Alma has a safe and productive small craft harbour. The fish harvesters that work from Alma are vital to the local economy and important job creators in the area. I'm really pleased that Minister Wilkinson made it a priority to be on hand to announce this major investment for our community. Investing in local small craft harbours helps not just the commercial fishing industry, but Alma as a whole. I am proud that we are investing in people, promoting inclusive growth and a building stronger community."
Alaina Lockhart, Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada is investing $250 million over two years to renew its network of small craft harbours and work with municipalities and other stakeholders to enhance local communities, economies and foster job creation.
- This is in addition to $100 million that will be invested in 2018-19 for repairs, maintenance, construction, and dredging at core commercial fishing harbours across Canada.
- The mandate of the Small Craft Harbours Program is to keep harbours critical to the commercial fishing industry open and in good repair.
- Small craft harbours provide critical support to the commercial fishing industry, which had landings valued at almost $3.4 billion in 2017.
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada supports more than 1000 harbours across Canada with more than 5000 volunteers from harbour authorities.
- Harbour restoration projects are undertaken in cooperation with the local harbour authorities that manage and operate facilities for local users.
Associated Links
Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Small Craft Harbours Program: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sch-ppb/home-accueil-eng.htm
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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Maritimes Region
Laura Gareau, Director of Communications, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard, 613-992-3474, [email protected]; Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 613-990-7537, [email protected]
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