‘Lives are in danger’

MLA pushes province to lobby Ottawa for more dredging

Souris-Elmira MLA Colin Lavie is calling for more dredging in P.E.I.’s northern channels after a dramatic rescue during this week’s spring lobster season opening.

Lavie, a lobster fisherman himself, said this year’s setting day saw big safety issues caused by a lack of dredging. On Monday a crew of five was rescued from a swamped lobster boat in Hardy’s Channel after it ran aground.

“There were big safety issues on the north side of the Island on setting day,” said Lavie, who first asked Fisheries Minister Robert Henderson why the province failed to properly dredge some harbours.

Aside from Hardy’s Channel, several Covehead fishermen moved to North Rustico for setting day due to problems with their channel. Henderson said the province has advocated for safe and accessible harbours.

“But the reality is that it’s small craft harbours, through the federal government, that is responsible for dredging in the province of P.E.I.,” said Henderson.

Henderson said he has had regular conversations with federal MPs and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and noted the vessel that got swamped was in his own riding. He commended those in the fishing community who rescued the crew.

He said all three dredges in the province are currently in action. “Weather can be a challenge sometimes, too,” said Henderson, noting that ice can also be a challenge.

Lavie still pushed Henderson to “take immediate action to dredge the harbours.”

“The reality is, their lives are in danger,” said Lavie, who asked Henderson to reach out to the federal government to commit to better dredging in the future. “It’s an issue every year on the wharves.” Henderson said the province would do everything it could to encourage the federal government for more dredging. “And if there are even more dredges available out there, I hope there are contractors out there that would consider getting into that particular business and providing that service so we can do these things quicker,” said Henderson.