Question Period Note: Impacts on Small Craft Harbours after Hurricane Fiona

What is DFO’s response to gear loss and harbour damage caused by Hurricane Fiona?

• Hurricane Fiona impacted various types of infrastructure, including DFO-owned fishing harbours. The storm produced substantial fishing gear-related debris, including heavy damage to harbour storage facilities.
• The $300 million Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund was announced October 4, 2022 to fund losses not covered under other government and private sector measures.
• $100 million has been confirmed for the recovery of lost fishing gear and repairs of small craft harbours damaged by Hurricane Fiona.

• On September 24, Hurricane Fiona hit Atlantic Canada and eastern Quebec, impacting various types of infrastructure including DFO-owned Small Craft Harbours, and producing substantial fishing gear-related debris, not only from fisheries and aquaculture operations that were active during the storm, but also as a result of heavy damage to harbour storage facilities, with gear and structures being swept into the ocean.
• On October 17, Ministers Murray and Petitpas Taylor announced that $100 million from the new Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund will be used to repair SCH infrastructure and to retrieve lost fishing and aquaculture gear. Specifically, $70M to supplement the Small Craft Harbour Program to support recovery efforts at Small Craft Harbours damaged by Hurricane Fiona. Another $30M was allocated to support retrieval and responsible disposal of lost fishing gear through the Ghost Gear Fund.
• The Small Craft Harbours program has worked diligently to determine the impacts Fiona had on the Program’s infrastructure. Clean up activities have taken place and, for the most part, initial repairs have been completed. DFO staff are now working with Harbour Authorities and others to plan and execute and necessary longer term repairs at impacted harbours.
• With respect to ghost gear, $1.5 million has already been allocated to support 11 partners for emergency clean-up and recovery efforts of the hardest hit areas, currently underway. Other projects are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

If pressed
• I am in touch with departmental officials and am following the evolution of the work being carried out.
• I know that DFO staff is working diligently to ensure small craft harbours are operational and safe for fish harvesters, and that lost fishing gear is recovered and properly disposed of.

If pressed on work at Small Craft Harbour locations
• Since the passing of the storm, DFO staff has worked with Harbour authorities and communities where impacted harbours are located to carry out initial repairs.
• Staff is also planning and preparing to execute longer term repairs at impacted harbours as required. This includes working with consultants and harbour authorities to determine the scope and budget of work.