Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea and Minister of the Environment Leona Aglukkaq opened the first small craft harbour in Nunavut in a ceremony on Baffin Island.
“The new harbour in Pangnirtung will benefit the community immensely by supporting local fishers and providing a more efficient and safe marine supply option,” said the Honourable Gail Shea . “ Fishers in the area now have modern infrastructure to unlock the economic potential of the local inshore turbot fishery, summer commercial Arctic Char and other fisheries in Cumberland Sound.”
“ This initiative demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to developing Canada’s northern communities through investment in infrastructure ,” said Minister Leona Aglukkaq . “ The new harbour will foster growth of Nunavut’s emerging fishing industry and provide a safe and effective harbour facility.”
Major components of the project included constructing a fixed wharf, breakwater, marshalling area, sealift ramp and a dredged channel and basin. A local workforce was employed for certain parts of the work.
The harbour will help realize economic and employment opportunities for this community of 1,300, and its 250 local fish harvesters and their approximately 150 vessels, and provide the basis for viable and sustainable regional economic expansion in the fisheries. Construction of this $40.5 million harbour began in 2009. It was funded through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, Budget 2008 and Fisheries and Oceans’ Small Craft Harbours Program.
Established in June of this year, the Pangnirtung Harbour Authority will assume management of the new facility. Local harbour authorities manage and operate facilities for local users. Close cooperation between the Department and harbour authorities allows the federal government to continue to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada in support of the commercial fishing industry.
[mappress]
Press Release, September 26, 2013