The harbour authorities of New Harbour and Long Cove Harbour, Trinity Bay, will address deficiencies in the infrastructure of both harbours with the addition of floating docks to allow for more vessels and increased berthage and storage. Both harbour authorities will receive assistance from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to complete upgrades of their harbour infrastructure as they work to develop facilities for local users and visitors.

The Long Cove Harbour Authority will receive $211,557 from ACOA to construct two floating docks and step-up cribbing along the shoreline; while the Harbour Authority of New Harbour will receive $100,995 to construct a gear storage shed, as well as two sections of floating dock to be attached to the existing wharf at New Harbour.

“These are two important projects for the people of these areas,” said the Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources and the MP for Bonavista-Trinity- Conception. “Thanks to ACOA’s contribution, the local people will be able to make significant improvements to these harbours. In the case of Long Cove Harbour, services are provided for fishing vessels from Bellevue, Thornlea, Chapel Arm, Long Cove and Norman’s Harbour, and we know what a great tourism area this is as well, so these improvements will greatly assist both local users and visitors. Long Cove Harbour has a capacity for more than 150 vessels, and this new work will provide for an additional berthage for 15 more vessels.”

Minister Efford said that there is a similar situation with the New Harbour project, as the harbour upgrades there will also service both the local fishing industry as well as the growing tourism industry. As well, the addition of the storage shed will provide gear storage space for fishermen and boat owners and provide the harbour authority with additional revenue sources.

“Our mandate as a harbour authority is to ensure the harbour is safe for all users and to also ensure the facilities are managed well and in good working order,” said New Harbour Harbour Authority spokesperson Geoff Woodman. “We have six active fishing vessels still using the harbour and there are more than 20 pleasure craft in the area. These owners and operators will greatly benefit from the new marine infrastructure.”

The business of the Long Cove Harbour Authority is managed by Calvin Peach, who is the full-time harbour supervisor for the Long Cove Harbour Authority.

“We anticipate that this project will encourage increased usage by local fishermen and fish buyers, as well as pleasure boat owners,” said Mr. Peach. “We also hope that the improvements will persuade the growing community of pleasure boat owners to view the harbour as a destination of choice and a winter berthing area, which will create economic spin-offs and help us make further improvements and provide a guarantee of on-going maintenance for the harbour.”

These two projects are funded through the agency’s Short Term Adjustment Initiative, a $25.8 million dollar program designed to meet the immediate needs of communities and individuals affected by the cod fishery closures. It is administered by ACOA.

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Two harbour authorities in Trinity Bay will receive funding from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to make improvements to the marine infrastructure of the harbours by constructing floating docks to meet the growing demand for berthage.

The Harbour Authority of Long Cove Harbour, which serves the communities of Bellevue, Thornlea, Chapel Arm, Long Cove and Norman’s Cove, will receive $211,557 from ACOA. Meanwhile, the Harbour Authority of New Harbour has been awarded $100,995 to construct a gear storage shed, as well as two sections of floating dock to be attached to the existing wharf in the community. The announcement was made today by Natural Resources Minister John Efford, who is the Regional Federal Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the Member of Parliament for the area.

For more information, please contact:

Stephen Heckbert
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire
Minister of ACOA
(613) 948-7293

Tom Ormsby
Regional Office of the Minister of Natural Resources
(709) 772-7261

Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs
ACOA 
(709) 772-2935

Geoff Woodman
New Harbour Harbour Authority
(709) 582-2830

Calvin Peach
Harbour Supervisor
Long Cove Harbour Authority
(709) 592-2099