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CBC
30-04-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Fishermen, MLAs raise concerns about need for more dredging on the North Shore
Fishers in North Rustico hit the water earlier than usual Wednesday morning after more than a dozen boats were stranded offshore on Tuesday. Extremely low tides and strong winds combined with extra sand in the channel meant about half the boats that went out Tuesday morning couldn't get back to the wharf at the usual time, and had to either wait for high tide to return or seek other harbours. "I'd never seen the tide that low as it was yesterday," said Ian Gauthier, a fisherman who was stuck offshore for about five hours Tuesday. "I've never experienced that before," he said. "That's the first time in about 40 years." Boats started coming into the harbour around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, with some fishers ending the day hours earlier than they typically would with an eye on the tide chart. Some fishers said they didn't want to get stranded or risk any expensive boat damage. Safety risks Aubrey Doucette said he didn't fish about 60 of his traps Wednesday in order to shorten the day. "It was frustrating, but at the end of the day, ultimately I still wanted to get in [rather than] have to sit out there again for five or six hours," he said. While expensive damage to fishing boats is a concern, so are safety risks. "Say if somebody had a medical emergency and you have to sail in… sitting out there for four hours, you know, wouldn't have been very good if somebody was severely hurt," Doucette said. "It's definitely a concern in the back of your head. Like, today I just wanted to get in and didn't really worry about the last 60 traps," the fisherman said, adding that he plans to check the remaining traps for lobster over the next few days. Safety concerns were also top of mind for lobster fisher Merrill Montgomery. "When it's not safe, it kind of affects your livelihood because you can't fish your gear properly because you're rushing to get the gear hauled, kind of fish around the tides and hope to get back in safe," Montgomery said. "We need to be doing something for safety reasons, whether it's dredging or building wharfs with breakwalls," he said. The community's breakwater — which helps protect the shore from erosion as well as providing shelter from winds and waves — was damaged during post-tropical storm Fiona in September 2022. Another part of the problem is that there hasn't been as much winter drift ice to help dredge out the channels naturally over the past few years, Montgomery said. Changing climactic conditions and the lack of ice cover during the winter means some places are dealing with drifting sand where it hasn't been a problem for many years — if ever, said Ian MacPherson, the executive director of the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association. "We seem to be having more issues at more harbours every year over the last few years, so that's a concern," MacPherson said. He said there is limited dredging equipment available and more resources would be helpful. In a statement to CBC News, DFO said dredging in the North Rustico channel was done just last week, between April 23 and 26. "The North Shore of P.E.I. is experiencing a period of particularly low tides... Tidal forecasts indicate a return to more normal levels by next week," the brief email said, adding that federal officials are working with the harbour authority on the issue. MLAs hear concerns in legislature The issue was raised in the provincial legislature on Wednesday. Backbench PC MLA Brad Trivers asked whether Minister of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture Zack Bell would prioritize emergency dredging in the North Shore harbour. "Every opportunity that I do have with the federal government to advocate for things for Prince Edward Island, I do. And dredging will be 100 per cent," Bell responded. Trivers said in harbours like North Rustico, "climate change is clearly altering local conditions." He asked Bell what steps the provincial government can take to advocate for proactive dredging schedules. "It is an unfortunate time," Bell said, noting that Naufrage was also affected by extremely low tides as a result of the new moon on the weekend. "I will continue to press DFO [the Department of Fisheries and Oceans] for the need and the safety," Bell said, adding that this is something the provincial government has considered a priority for "for eons and eons." Trivers said long-term solutions are needed to address the issue, adding: "Fishers across the Island are raising the alarm about safety concerns tied to changing tides and shifting sands." Checking federal platform During the campaign leading up to Monday's federal election, Bell said two elements of the Liberal Party of Canada's platform stuck out to his provincial department with regard to Island fisheries. First, the Liberal Party under Mark Carney pledged a recommitment and 20 per cent increase to the Atlantic Fisheries Fund. Second, the party promised $250 million for small craft harbours across the country. "I can guarantee you… I will be advocating strongly for P.E.I.'s fair share," Bell said.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Islanders and political leaders reflect on Lawrence MacAulay's 36 years of public service
Islanders and political leaders are commemorating Lawrence MacAulay's 36 years of public service following his retirement announcement Saturday. MacAulay's colleagues and constituents of his Cardigan, P.E.I., riding gathered at the Jim MacAulay Complex in St. Peters Bay for the formal announcement. "I remember when I got elected, there was not a whole lot of activity on this part of the Island.… I had a part in it, but everybody had a part in it," MacAulay said in an interview with CBC News. "Things have changed and changed for the better." MacAulay greeted supporters at his retirement announcement. (Wayne Thibodeau/CBC) MacAulay is the longest-serving MP in the Island's history, having represented the eastern P.E.I. riding of Cardigan since 1988. "Lawrence never forgot where he came from," said Barry Hicken, who worked for MacAulay for nearly 25 years. "Lawrence always put the issues first. He always made sure what he'd done was a benefit for Prince Edward Island and Cardigan in particular," Hicken said. Impact on the Island In addition to working with MacAulay, Hicken said he considers the agriculture minister a friend. "I really never felt I had a job," Hicken said. "When you went to work with Lawrence, you didn't feel like you were going to work." MacAulay is a household name in every house in Cardigan, and in a lot of houses in Prince Edward Island, he said. "He did a lot of good things," Hicken said. "He brought a lot of good stuff to Prince Edward Island." The UPEI-affiliated Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation in St. Peters Bay, along with MacAulay's work looking after the ferry service will be part of his legacy, Hicken said. MacAulay is the longest-serving MP in P.E.I. history, having represented the eastern P.E.I. riding of Cardigan since 1988. (Wayne Thibodeau/CBC) The next MP for Cardigan will have big shoes to fill, said Floyd MacLean, president of the Cardigan Liberal Association. "It'll be hard to find somebody as popular, for sure," said MacLean. "But things always change and there is lots of interest." MacLean said that while it's sad to see MacAulay go, "he certainly deserves a good retirement." MacAulay has an ability to relate to people and 'to kind of light up a room with positive energy,' says Ian MacPherson, executive director of the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association. (Wayne Thibodeau/CBC) MacAulay's more than three-and-a-half decades of public service have been a "tremendous contribution from a public service standpoint," said Ian MacPherson, executive director P.E.I. Fishermen's Association. "I don't know if anyone will ever achieve that type of service record in the House," MacPherson said. MacAulay has an ability to relate to people and "to kind of light up a room with positive energy," MacPherson said. "It doesn't mean that the minister hasn't been serious around serious issues, but generally [he had] a positive attitude, a can-do attitude and [was] a very great representative of Prince Edward Island," he said. MacAulay has advocated on behalf of Islanders in Ottawa on a number of items — not just in caucus, but at the cabinet table also, said MacPherson. "Sometimes we didn't get the answers that we liked, but we appreciated that Minister MacAulay — along with our other Island MPs — do punch above their weight in terms of getting things heard in Ottawa." Farewell from federal leaders MacAulay's colleagues in Ottawa also wished him well following his retirement announcement. MacAulay "has served his community, his province and Canadians ably over decades," Catherine McKenna, former minister of climate and infrastructure, said in a post on X. "Thanks Lawrence and your amazing wife Frances for your incredible service to [Canada]!" the post reads. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former prime minister Jean Chrétien both appeared virtually with farewell messages. "I know this wasn't an easy decision for you," Trudeau said. "For so long now, you've been making sure that folks back home have someone fighting for them every day in Ottawa." "For over 36 years, and 11 election victories, you've never lost sight of what is most important: the people. And the ferry." In his video address, Chrétien told MacAulay to "enjoy life with your lovely wife and your three daughters and the rest of the family." "You're very lucky to live in a very beautiful place, on the beach, on P.E.I.," Chrétien said.
