Located adjacent to Edmundston, New Brunswick along the Trans-Canada Highway is the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation. Thanks to strategic business decisions to diversify and expand their commercial fishery, the community’s investment in fishing vessels, gear and equipment has led to the construction of a new state-of-the-art storage facility.

The 6000 square foot building completed in March of this year stands nearby to the First Nation’s docks on community-owned land. The facility provides security and shelter from the ravages of the weather. The L-shaped building is now home to four fishing vessels, fishery equipment and gear of all kinds, salt and bait and over 2000 lobster traps. The community’s Fisheries Coordinator, Diane Pelletier is elated about the new facility: “For years, we had to store our vessels and equipment outdoors. Things could easily get stolen while our harsh winters did damage to our vessels and equipment. Now, our assets are protected and we are saving time, energy and money.”

There is also ample space for the maintenance and repairs of vessels and gear. Access to indoor electrical outlets and all the required tools and materials at hand has greatly improved the community’s capacity to maintain and repair their vessels and fishing equipment such as traps and gear. With the new indoor facility, the community will be able to get vessels and gear ready for the spring fishing season well in advance. “No more panic and rush to g ...

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