Canada to build new harbor in Natashquan

As part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to grow the economy, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Diane Lebouthillier, has announced an investment of $27 million for the fishing harbors of Natashquan, Kegaska and Baie-Trinité, on Quebec’s North Shore.

Among the projects announced is the construction of a new fishing harbor in Natashquan. Scheduled for completion by 2028, the harbor will improve fish harvesters’ working conditions by giving them access to modern and safe facilities and allow them to increase their annual landings of species such as snow crab and lobster.

This large-scale project represents a major investment in the revitalization and economic development of the North Shore and the long-term viability of the local commercial fishery.

The funding will also go toward developing the service areas of the Kegaska fishing harbor in 2026, and to revitalize the Baie-Trinité fishing harbor in 2027. These two fishing harbors, combined with the Natashquan harbor, are used by more than 70 fish harvesters for landings estimated at nearly $8 million in 2023.

In addition to the $90 million annual departmental budget for small craft harbors, Budget 2024 will invest $463.3 million over the next few years to repair and maintain small craft harbors across the country, including those damaged by Hurricane Fiona in 2022.