The Government of Canada Invests in the Fort Amherst (Prosser's Rock) Small Boat Basin near St. John's and across Newfoundland and Labrador Français
ST. JOHN'S, July 5, 2018 /CNW/ - Fort Amherst (Prosser's Rock) Small Boat Basin in St. John's and small craft harbours across Newfoundland and Labrador are welcoming a significant federal announcement that will benefit the local economy. The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence and the Member of Parliament for St. John's South-Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced over $40 million toward improvements to small craft harbours in Newfoundland and Labrador this year.
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 funding announced today will include investments in the major, multi-year harbour development project in St. John's. Fort Amherst Small Boat Basin in St. John's is located in the main commercial fish landing site for the <65' fleet in Newfoundland and Labrador. Planning for the project began in 2016, and improvements are scheduled to be completed by March 2020. Once complete, fishermen will have better access to safe berthing and offloading facilities within this harbour.
Fort Amherst is used by 118 homeport fishing vessels and 138 transient fishing vessels that primarily fish snow crab and cod. Last year, fishermen here landed 5,518 tonnes of fish and seafood valued at $49.1 million.
Almost $1 million has been invested in Fort Amherst since 2013. Additional funding amounts will be made public once the tendering process has been completed.
Quotes:
"Fishing has been our way of life for centuries, and the investment announced today shows our government's commitment to sustaining this industry for years to come. Renewing infrastructure at our network of small craft harbours, like the Fort Amherst Small Boat Basin right here in St. John's, is key to supporting good jobs in communities across Newfoundland and Labrador and will ensure our fishery can continue to compete with the best in the world."
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence and the Member of Parliament for St. John's South-Mount Pearl
"The continued development of Fort Amherst Small Boat Basin will be a major benefit to the St. John's fishing community. When we invest in the community, Canadians and the Canadian economy benefit. Small Craft Harbour investments are a priority for the Government of Canada and demonstrate our commitment to local economies. We are proud of this investment to support the Newfoundland and Labrador fishing industry—a key economic sector that helps support coastal communities across the country.
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
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 national landings valued at almost $3.4 billion in 2016.
- 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
For more information on Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Small Craft Harbours Program: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sch-ppb/home-accueil-eng.htm
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada
Media Inquiries, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, 709-772-3375, [email protected]; Vincent Hughes, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister, Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 613-996-0022, [email protected]
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