Wharf Reconstruction at the Bay Fortune Small Craft Harbour, Prince Edward Island

The Bay Fortune SCH layout is characterized by wharf infrastructure located on the north and south sides of Fortune River. The facilities on the southern side include a series of rigid wharves oriented to form a well-protected harbour basin. The southern wharves consist of seven (7) separate and conjoined structures including an inner timber pile marginal wharf (SCH Facility Number #410) measuring approximately 61.5 m in length and 3.7 m in width with a timber deck system.  The marginal wharf deck transitions to an asphalt travel surface with a concrete launching ramp (#504) located inside the harbour basin perpendicular to the western end of the wharf. The subject wharf is at the end of its service life and is currently load restricted and thus requires complete replacement. 

 

A proposed new marginal wharf will be constructed along the same alignment and will measure approximately 62.7 m long and 7.65 m wide.  The new construction will initially involve the complete demolition and removal of wharf #410 including timber piles, pile caps, stringers, decking, sheathing, wales and ladders.  Concurrently, excavation will be carried out for the removal of approximately 1800 cubic meters (m3) of material including asphalt, surficial soils and saturated ballast sediments.  The demolition and removals will also include a timber retaining wall located adjacent to the launching ramp (#501).  There are also eight (8) private wood-frame buildings located directly behind wharf #410 that will be removed by the owners prior to the start of construction.

 

The new wharf design has a timber pile foundation, reinforced concrete pile caps and deck system as well as a timber sheathing fendering system.  A tie-back anchoring system will be installed for lateral support as well as a 2 m-high retaining wall on the back side to minimize settlement and loss of backfill materials.  The underside of the structure will include a core stone berm sloped and protected with armour stone to provide additional stability and to absorb wave energy.  The new wharf will be constructed to an elevation of 3.70 m above chart datum and the area directly behind will be backfilled, compacted and graded to blend into the existing service area with a new asphalt travel surface.  A new electrical and lighting system will be installed on the new structure.  The construction will also include a new 22 m-long retaining wall at the western end of the wharf adjacent to the launching ramp.  This wall will be a king pile structure consisting of steel H-piles with interstitial concrete panels (commonly referred to as a Berlin Wall) to provide a stable interface between the ramp and the existing service area.

 

The work is expected to be conducted using large commercial vehicles and equipment for heavy civil construction such as excavators, cranes, front-end loaders, and trucks operating from the upland and existing structures.  Upland areas of the SCH will likely be used as a staging area for equipment storage and as a lay-down area for demolition and construction materials (treated timber, steel piles, and concrete panels).

 

Construction activities may commence as early as September 2026, however actual project commencement is subject to DFO-SCH operational priorities and funding, as well as the completion of regulatory approval processes.  The scope of the environmental effects determination (subject to S.82 of the Impact Assessment Act) will, therefore, be based on the works being completed over a period of 18 months commencing within a period of 5 years following the determination of significance of environmental effects. 

 

The Bay Fortune SCH is a core fishing harbour that was developed to serve the fishing industry in the area.  The harbour currently has considerable marine infrastructure and remains well situated and protected to support both the commercial fishing and aquaculture industries.

 

The main purpose of this project is to replace and upgrade existing infrastructure so that the harbour can continue to serve the fishing and aquaculture industries. Wharf #410 is an integral component of the overall harbour infrastructure as a service and berthing facility. Given that the existing wharf is well beyond its service life and is load-restricted, the status quo of leaving the deteriorated structure available and in service is not currently a viable option. DFO-SCH considered design alternatives and selected the timber pile structure option as the most technical and economically feasible construction approach. 

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Latest update

Notice of Intent to Make a Determination – Start of Public Comment Period

April 16, 2026 – The Small Craft Harbours branch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada intends to make a determination regarding whether carrying out of the wharf reconstruction project at Bay Fortune Small Craft Harbour in Prince Edward Island is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, the federal authorities are inviting public comments in respect to that determination for 30 days following the posting of this notice.  Please send comments in writing to:

 

Planning and Environment Group

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Small Craft Harbours

Maritimes and Gulf Regions

Email:  DFO.SCHMGEnvironment-MGEnvironnementPPB.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Participate

Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Notice of Intent to Make a Determination - Start of Public Comment Period - April 16, 2026

Contacts

Planning and Environment Group
Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Small Craft Harbours, Maritimes and Gulf Regions
343 University Avenue
Gulf Fisheries Centre
Moncton, New Brunswick E1C 5K4
Email: DFO.SCHMGEnvironment-MGEnvironnementPPB.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Bay Fortune Small Craft Harbour (Prince Edward Island)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Ports and Harbours

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2026-02-27

  • Proponent

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Small Craft Harbours

  • Authorities

    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    90379

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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