August 16, 1999
(Executive Council)

Funding for St. Anthony Harbour Development announced

Premier Brian Tobin and the Honourable George Baker, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), visited St. Anthony today to announce $6.7 million for St. Anthony Harbour Development under the Economic Development Component of the Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative.

"One of the key objectives of the agreement is to improve the investment climate and strategic infrastructure of this province, particularly where there are economic growth opportunities in rural Newfoundland and Labrador," Premier Tobin said. "Harbour development in St. Anthony is desperately needed to support the strategic economic development of this vibrant community. This project will alleviate the growing problem of harbour congestion, and provide a basis to improve tourism and resource exploration from the area. The Town of St. Anthony has worked with me in identifying this project as an extremely worthwhile investment, especially given the growth in the northern shrimp industry and the increase in tourism in this region."

"The Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador are working cooperatively to identify means to ensure the vitality of rural Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Baker. "Strategic investment in St. Anthony will ensure the continued viability and growth of one of the post-moratorium success stories, our shrimp industry."

The Premier and Minister Baker noted that this project has been supported by the Fish, Food and Allied Workers, the Nordic Regional Economic Development Board, the St. Anthony and Area Chamber of Commerce, and individual shrimp harvesters.

Media contacts:

Heidi Bonnell, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960
Randy Devine, ACOA, (709) 772-2935

 

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BACKGROUNDER
ST. ANTHONY HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT

• With the prolific growth in the northern shrimp fishery in recent years, the strategic location of the St. Anthony Harbour has meant a tremendous increase in the number of shrimp draggers and trawlers using the harbour for off loading and servicing.

• The increase in this year's inshore shrimp quota has seen the number of shrimp draggers increase from approximately 250 in 1998 to over 340 in 1999. The majority of these vessels use the St. Anthony Harbour facility.

• As a result of the fishing vessel congestion in St. Anthony Harbour other operations are severely impeded. St. Anthony is the home port of the Coast Guard Vessel "The Harp" and the Northern Ranger ferry to Labrador. At times, harbour congestion has made it virtually impossible for these vessels to tie up at the existing wharves. When they are able to tie-up, access on the wharf is restricted due to the increased amount of equipment, gear and service vehicles. There are documented instances where there have been in excess of 100 vessels tied-up to eight abreast at the existing wharfage with others anchored throughout the harbour.

• The St. Anthony Harbour's limited infrastructure cannot accommodate the current tourism demands. This year, 13 cruise ships will visit the port and there has been a marked increase in recreational yachting activity. With the Northern Peninsula being the focus of next year's Viking Millennium celebrations, both cruise and recreational traffic is anticipated to steadily rise.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

• The Town of St. Anthony will construct a wharf on the north side of the St. Anthony harbour which will be adjacent to the Chianti Fish Plant wharf and extend northwards to Marguerite Point. The total cost of the project is to be $6.7 million.

• The wharf will be 600 meters in length and will accommodate approximately 60 vessels (20 m length) double berthed. There will be electric hook-ups approximately every 30 meters and a central water pick-up location.

• The structure will be approximately 15 meters wide to accommodate vehicular access to service vessels while tied up. There will also be a central turn-around area. Access roads will be constructed at either end and areas around the access roads will be leveled to provide lay-down space for equipment and gear.

• At the west end of the wharf, a passageway will be constructed to permit the movement of small boats to the existing slipways along the shoreline.

PROJECT SCHEDULE:

• August 16, 1998 - Project receives funding approval.

• Detailed design and engineering will be completed by mid-September.

• Tendering for construction will take place in late September - early October to permit a contract award for early November. Since much of the up-front construction activity will involve mass excavation and filling, work can proceed from mid-November until weather conditions affect the productivity. It is expected that up to eight weeks of construction can be achieved in 1999.

• The contractor will be re-mobilized by June 2000 and possibly earlier if favorable spring conditions occur. The project can be substantially complete and functional by November 2000 with some finishing work carried into the following construction season.

1999 08 16              3:30 p.m.