All Cruise News > Saint John Port Authority Permits Fishers at the Port of Saint John in the Short-term
Saint John Port Authority Permits Fishers at the Port of Saint John in the Short-term
25 July, 2006
Fishers currently moored at the Port of Saint John will be permitted to remain at piers on the west side of the harbour while government agencies responsible for providing them facilities have an opportunity to move forward with plans for a short and long term solution. A site located on the west side, upstream from the Harbour Bridge and outside secure port facilities was identified by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in a recently released zonal planning study.
“Our Board of Directors and senior management have always been sympathetic to the plight of these individuals, and we are urging the appropriate departments of government to move forward with a solution for them in an expedient manner” explained Captain Alwyn G. Soppitt, President & CEO of the Saint John Port Authority. “The fact remains that under marine security regulations, this type of fishing activity can no longer co-exist inside a commercial marine operation which receives international vessels.”
He further explained that the reason the Port Authority can permit the fishers to remain moored over the next few months is that they are currently not in a fishing season and the concerns raised by Transport Canada over waterside access controls are not present if their boats do not move from the dock.
“Ultimately, the proposed facilities need to be added by DFO to the schedule of fishing harbours,” he concluded. DFO is the federal agency mandated with providing facilities at Canadian harbours for fishers and small craft.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Paula Small, Executive Assistant/Public Relations Officer
Saint John Port Authority,
Tel: (506) 636-5377 or (506) 650-5288
Alwyn G. Soppitt, President & CEO
Saint John Port Authority
Tel: (506) 636-5377
