Plant Reconstruction Underway and Fisheries Infrastructure Improvements Coming
What a difference a few months can make.
The mood in the northern Avalon Peninsula community of Bay de Verde has gone from devastation to one of jubilation and hope.
An April 11 fire totally destroyed the Quinlan Brothers Ltd. seafood processing plant in Bay de Verde, devastating the community, impacting the employment of about 700 workers.
But recent announcements by the company and the federal government have the town optimistically looking at the future.
Federal Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc and area MP Judy Foote, were recently in Bay de Verde to announce funding to improve fisheries-related infrastructure.
In total, more than $13 million will be invested into Bay de Verde’s harbour — $8 million for the wharf, $4 million for the north-side breakwater extension, $750,000 for a breakwater extension on the south side and $250,000 for south-side parking lot repairs.
The funding was part of a $68.2-million investment this year into small craft harbour improvement projects across Newfoundland and Labrador. A total of $26.9 million will be invested at 16 harbours throughout eastern Newfoundland and the Bay de Verde Peninsula. Five of these harbours will see their investment extend into future years for an additional $14.6 million.
“Infrastructure investment is a priority for our government. It is good for all Canadians and good for the Canadian economy. Today’s announcement of small craft harbour investments in Newfoundland and Labrador is just one more example of the federal government’s commitment to promote the fishing industry — a key economic sector for a number of regions. We are proud of this investment, which will foster employment opportunities that benefit local workers and support coastal communities across the country for years to come,” LeBlanc explained.
The minister also sympathized with the many community residents in attendance at the funding announcement.
“Every Canadian I think was touched by the tragedy that this fire represented. I have small coastal communities which depend on the fishery and your community here in Bay de Verde and right across this great province are examples of great entrepreneurs and communities that have faced challenges before and have come out every bit more resilient for it.”
Foot also emphasized the importance of the federal government rallying behind Bay de Verde.
“Bay de Verde is one of the most important landing sites in Newfoundland and Labrador. Working together, industry and government are rebuilding this vital part of our community, and the newly rebuilt wharf that will emerge from the ashes will be a testament to this collaboration. Keeping this harbour in good operating condition is critical to the people who use it. The Government of Canada is investing in infrastructure projects such as this, to the benefit of local fishers, while helping middle class Canadians by creating jobs and boosting the local economy.”
But probably the biggest highlight for the beleaguered community is the fact construction is now underway on the new Quinlan’s plant.
Company vice-president Robin Quinlan once again stated that it is the company’s goal to have the plant operating and processing crab next spring.
He went on to add that the harbour infrastructure improvements announced will also provide new opportunities for his company.
“A lot of the problems that we had with the wharves before, there wasn’t enough water depth to get vessels in — larger vessels. Now we have a suitable wharf and we can use the full frontage in front of the plant for tie-up and offloading. So it’s a great piece of news for the company to be able to have such a large piece of infrastructure to help us for the next season.”
On July 13, the company said despite the fire, it had worked with snow crab producers throughout the province to ensure that fish harvesters were serviced as normal.
“In addition, Independent Fish Harvesters Inc at Brigus and Green Seafoods Limited of Winterton, have accommodated Quinlan Brothers employees to provide ongoing employment to practically all displaced production workers at Bay de Verde. While the incomes of workers have been affected by that loss of the plant, they will have been provided employment to levels that will qualify them for EI benefits. Government officials remain in regular communication with the company to monitor employment levels of those affected,” the company said in a press release.
Quinlan’s also said it continues to focus on the rebuilding of the Bay de Verde plant. Site remediation was completed in May. In addition, geotechnical surveys and in-ground infrastructure assessments were complete.
Quinlan’s said it has been working with the Marco Group, the selected builders of the new facility and an extensive engineering and design team, to prepare for the commencement of onsite construction.
Less than two weeks after the fire, Quinlan Brothers released expressions of interest (EOI) for seafood processing equipment, design, manufacture and supply, as well as for building engineering management, planning and design services.
The equipment EOI was also notable in that it included not only processing lines for both snow crab and Northern shrimp, but for the design/manufacture/supply of equipment for the processing of Atlantic groundfish as well.
The April 11 fire was first reported at 5:30 a.m. and quickly grew in intensity, fueled by strong westerly winds. In a few hours, the Town of Bay de Verde ordered a state of emergency and evacuation order that saw 300 homes emptied as firefighters from around the region battled the blaze at the Quinlan Brothers plant.
The large plant, one of the largest employers in the region, was just gearing up for the start of the crab season. Last year, the Bay de Verde plant processed more than 17 million pounds of crab.
While the fire was still smouldering, the company was making arrangements with other plants in the region and on the island to take its crab in order not to delay fishermen during the very lucrative fishery.
