Feds reopen Silver Islet Small Craft Harbour on Lake Superior
by CM Staff
The Silver Islet Small Craft Harbour is located approximately 90 kilometres southeast of Thunder Bay
Silver Islet Ontario – The Silver Islet small craft harbour on Lake Superior is once again open to the public after a major rehabilitation project by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). DFO intends to divest the harbour facility to a local non-profit group, the Silver Islet Harbour Association. (CNW Group/Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ontario & Prairie Region)
THUNDER BAY, ONT. — Small Craft Harbours is a nationwide program run by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) that helps keep harbours accessible to all fish harvesters and other community members for recreational use.
The Government of Canada announced that the Silver Islet Small Craft Harbour on Lake Superior is now open to the public following a major rehabilitation project.
“Our government understands the importance of small craft harbours to coastal and inland communities. That’s why we are investing in critical upgrades and repairs from coast to coast to coast,” said Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, in a prepared statement. “I’m pleased to see this long-awaited day has arrived, and the Silver Islet small craft harbour will be safe and accessible for residents to use this summer and for many seasons to come”
The Silver Islet Small Craft Harbour is located approximately 90 kilometres southeast of Thunder Bay and is accessible through Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. In the past, the harbour was used by the fishing industry, boaters, kayakers, and was home to a variety of recreational activities. For safety reasons, the Silver Islet Small Craft Harbour was closed in 2013. As Silver Islet is designated a recreational harbour, DFO intends to transfer ownership to a local non-profit group, the Silver Islet Harbour Association.
On behalf of DFO, Public Services and Procurement Canada awarded the contract to Tom Jones Corporation in the amount of $2.83M. This construction project replaced the harbour’s existing timber wharf structure, repaired the rubble mound breakwater, repositioned the launching ramp, and added a header dock inside the breakwater. This rehabilitation work makes this harbour safe and accessible to boaters and other users.
