VANCOUVER - The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Vancouver South - Burnaby, on behalf of Robert G. Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced a maintenance dredging project at the Small Craft Harbours federal facility of Steveston, B.C.

"This dredging project underlines the commitment by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to support and maintain the commercial fishing harbour at Steveston," said Minister Dhaliwal. "I am particularly pleased that it supports the supplemental dredging work currently underway by the City of Richmond in anticipation of the Tall Ships event this August."

The maintenance dredging at Steveston will remove accumulated infill in the basin areas of the Gulf of Georgia site. Steveston is Canada's largest commercial fishing harbour and provides a full range of services for the commercial fishing fleet.

The project will be carried out by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Small Craft Harbours Program, in collaboration with the Steveston Harbour Authority, which manages and operates the facilities for the benefit of local users. It is this close cooperation that enables the federal government to continue to provide a system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada in support of commercial fishing and coastal communities.

Media contact:

Susan M. Steele
Regional Director, Small Craft Harbours
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(604) 666-6530