Funding continued for Fisheries Heritage Architecture Preservation Program

Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced $100,000 for the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador to continue its Fisheries Heritage Architecture Preservation Program. This program provides funding to communities and non-profit groups to restore stages, stores, flakes, lofts and other buildings.

"Significant inshore fisheries infrastructure throughout the province, including fishing stores, flakes, stages and fishing premises, are under threat and, once they vanish, they cannot be replaced," said Minister Bettney. "Newfoundland and Labrador has a unique cultural landscape and landwash which is unmistakably different from anything else in the rest of Canada or the world. It is important we preserve what remains of this way of life for our own identity and to support our growing tourism industry in rural Newfoundland and Labrador."

"The need for a place to make fish, to dry those fish and to shelter the fishers during the season produced characteristic building types which were once common around the Atlantic rim," said Ruth Canning, chair of the heritage foundation. "We are pleased that the heritage foundation is playing a role in preserving these important structures."

An application and information can be obtained by calling Dale Jarvis, preservation officer of the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, at (709) 739-1892, or by e-mail at info@heritagefoundation.ca.

Media contact: Melony O�Neill, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2003 08 11                                      12:10 p.m.