GASPEREAUX, P.E.I. - Graham’s Pond harbour will soon see some critical repairs to extending the life of the existing wharf while also improving the accessibility and safety of services.
Federal funding was announced last week to make wharf repairs and reconstruct the north and south breakwaters.
Cardigan MP Lawrence MacAulay said the repairs will help build a stronger community.
“This investment helps not just the commercial fishing industry, but the riding of Cardigan as a whole,” said MacAulay. “The reconstruction of these breakwaters will not only improve safety and maintain the infrastructure that is essential to the region but will also stimulate job opportunities that will benefit fishers and support our local communities.”
Wharf repairs, which will include a new deck, will begin this fall and are expected to be complete by spring 2019.
The breakwater reconstruction, which will provide protection to the entire harbor by reducing wave impact, will begin in early 2019.
Graham’s Pond Harbour sees more than $4 million annually in landings for lobster, snow crab, mackerel, herring, silversides, scallops and tuna.
It is home to 64 commercial, transient, and recreational vessels, while also supporting several buying stations, product storage and bait distribution.
Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, said small craft harbor investments demonstrate a commitment to local economies.
“We are proud of the work that will be done to improve Graham’s Pond Harbour and support the fishing industry—a key economic sector that helps support coastal communities across the country,” said LeBlanc.
The federal government has invested $250 million over two years to renew a network of small craft harbours. That is in addition to $100 million that will be invested in 2018 and 2019 for repairs, maintenance, construction and dredging.
