digby-harbour-port-association

Port of Digby Master Plan

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:45:11 GMT

Port of Digby Master Plan

Summary

The Digby Wharf is a significant piece of economic infrastructure and fabric of Southwest Nova Scotia. The facility is reaching its useful life and thus requires a phased commitment to ensure the operation is available for generations to come. The Port of Digby Master Plan is designed for a multiuse and fully utilized facility. Currently the Port has more demand than space.

Infrastructure

The DHPA has undertaken significant repairs to extend the useful life of the 55 year old structures. These repairs will buy time to gather partners to rejuvenate the port to serve the fishery and other sectors into the future.

This project has been developed in phases for limited disruption of an active facility and for efficiency of project management.

Phase 1

Replacement of the existing Marginal Wharf, and new Marginal Wharf infrastructure to the easterly will address some of the oldest part of the wharf and provide a backbone for the future wharf.

Phase 2

Dredge spoil to accommodate the new wharf and channel will be deposited in a bermed cell to the northerly creating close to 4 acres of valuable reclaimed land for further sectors.

Phase 3

The construction of a new wharf extending into the harbour and the old wharf is demolished and removed thereafter.

Phase 4

The infill cell has a sheet piling face installed on the easterly and a basin is dredged to allow vessels 10m of water at low tide. This opens the port of Digby up to greater tourism and import/export opportunities.

Reasons to support:

Investment in this critical infrastructure ensures the backbone of the local economy continues to operate without disruption.

The Port of Digby Master Plan positions the facility to expand the services offered to marine clients additional berthage, haul out facilities, and more opportunities to work on their vessels.

Phase 4 would position the port with the capability to serve tidal energy and at sea wind farm installations and maintenance, along with potential resource import and export opportunities.

Digby would be positioned to participate in the cruise industry with a quayside berth for vessels.

This project is a strategic investment in infrastructure to enable support to rural industries, and interprovincial and international exports.

The Port of Digby Master Plan is an ideal Federal / Provincial / Community partnership. This investment would stabilize the current operations and position the port for growth in sectors outside the traditional ones.

2023 Annual Report Digby Harbour Port Association

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 13:54:26 GMT

Annual Report Digby Harbour Port Association

CEO, Edwin Chisholm

2023

2023 Annual Report Digby Harbour Port Association

(DHPA)

Executive Summary – CEO, Edwin Chisholm

The Digby Harbour Port Association continues to see the Infrastructure and Business Plan as the long-term goal for the future of the facility.

The Capacity Building Project is 75% complete. This project will add berths and increase safety to DHPA customers. The electrical portion of the Spur Wharf Floating Docks are being finalized.

The pile repairs and jackets for the ‘67 section of the Spur Wharf is expected to be complete in November of 2024.

Sales

Berthage and Parking rates were increased in 2022 to reflect inflationary pressures.
Berthage- revenue has increased from 2022. Berthage for 2024 is expected to be similar to 2023 figures.

Operations

Tourism - We remain a committed supporter for the Lobster Bash, Scallop Days, and Wharf Rat Rally. This commitment constitutes the bulk of our community outreach and donations.

Infrastructure to support ocean going yachts was incorporated into the End Ell Float build in alignment with Develop NS promotions.

Repairs
Our key opportunity to do wharf maintenance is the months of August and September.

Deck repairs, waler replacement, and painting are yearly activities to keep the facility ship shape.
R&M projects will be planned to not inhibit our contractors’ activities and minimize the disruption to the fisheries.

Relationships

Government - Dept. of Fisheries and Canadian Coast Guard are the primary resources for fisheries and vessel distress issues. Canadian Border Services and Transport Canada are key contacts on the cruise ship and cruise yacht file. The Town of Digby, and Municipality of Digby have representation on our Board of Directors and are active partners in projects including our Capacity Building project.
MP Chris d’Entremont and MLA Jill Balser are key proponents for further capital work at the DHPA facilities.
EMO – DHPA continues to cultivate relationships with EMO affiliates. The Digby Fire Department performs drills on the wharf to familiarize their staff with conditions and equipment.
IMPAC – DHPA remains an enthusiastic member of the Independent Marine Ports of Atlantic Canada. The collective issues of port maintenance and promotion are a forefront topic within the association. The IMPAC group is attracting new full and associate members.

Conclusion

The Port of Digby is a premiere harbour in the Bay of Fundy and Southwest Nova Scotia region serving lobster vessels fishing districts in LFA 34, 35, 36, and 38.

The facility is home to the majority of the Full Bay Inshore Scallop Fleet and hosts boats for the Mid-Bay and Upper Bay Scallop Fleets.
The Port is home to the Cooke Aquaculture boats that manage 36 salmon pens and harvest in excess of 800K pounds of salmon on a bi-annual basis from pens in the Annapolis Basin.
Lobster, scallop, and aqua-culture fisheries in the region continue to be successful, and that success generates increasingly more activity at the facility. The fisheries are key economic drivers for the region.

The Port of Digby has room to expand marine laydown areas and berthage facilities. The natural access to water at low tide make the Port of Digby the optimal choice for a regional marine hub.

With investment the Port of Digby will be valuable to many export sectors that currently cannot efficiently move their product to market.

Edwin Chisholm

CEO, DHPA

INTERACTIVE FLOOD MAPPING

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 13:42:24 GMT

Interactive Flood Mapping for Digby

3D Interactive Flood Maps for Port of Digby | Coastal Action

2024

Some of us are lucky enough to live along the coast of Nova Scotia. But with that privilege comes the worry of how sea-level rise and storm surge will impact our properties. When will sea-level rise start to threaten your land? What sort of storm surge and tidal conditions would actually cause your property to flood?

If you live on the shorelines of Mahone Bay, Lunenburg, Blue Rocks, Yarmouth, or Digby, the 3D Interactive Flood Map Models released by non-profit environmental organization Coastal Action Group can help you answer those questions and take control of those stressful unknowns in the face of climate change.

The map models will help municipal planning and development departments make better-informed decisions about coastal development.

These powerful models can visualize the risk and threat levels to our infrastructure and road networks. Incorporating this information into emergency and disaster planning is critical for all of us in the face of climate change.

Coastal Action Group partnered with the map creators, 3D Wave Design , to provide these maps to the Municipality of the District of Digby. Explore the map below to learn more about the impacts of tides, storm surges, and sea-level rise on these coastal communities.

Chairman's Message 2024

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 13:19:43 GMT

Chairman's Message

Chairman, Digby Harbour Port Association

2024

It’s busy these days on the Digby waterfront as the Digby Harbour Port Association is actively meeting today’s challenges and getting ready for tomorrow’s opportunities.

The latest $3.0 million of capital improvements to our main wharf are almost complete. Increased accessibility and infrastructure repairs will serve our commercial clients well. The Port

of Digby strives to meet the facility’s potential. Here at the Port of Digby we’re always looking for business. We are busy making the infrastructure improvements to handle it - and we’re willing to work closely with you to earn it.

Whether you’re in the fishing industry, cruise planning, general cargo shipping and services – or planning on taking advantage of the global interest in developing the tremendous energy

resources off Nova Scotia’s shore - the Port of Digby wants to build its future with you as a partner.

We’re Nova Scotia’s only deep-water and ice-free port on the Bay of Fundy, with centuries of seafaring business experience behind us. And now with transformative commercial opportunities looming

in our future, we’re actively making plans and implementing capacity to grow our marine service capabilities in order to capitalize on our potential.

The Port of Digby is a modern, highly proficient facility. But along our waterfront you’ll find people who are friendly as well as talented, and there is no denying that ours is an incredibly

picturesque port. Those are factors that decidedly value added factors that definitely help to make living and working here a rewarding experience.

Here at the Port of Digby we know what it takes to make a livelihood from the sea. We understand your business requirements and can professionally address your expectations. The

current augmentation to our infrastructure capacity is making a good facility even better.

If your present or future marine commercial or recreational interests include the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of Maine, we invite you to contact us and explore how the Port of Digby can

partner with you to meet and satisfy your needs.

We look forward to that opportunity.

Vance Hazelton

Chairman

Digby Harbour Port Association

Enhancements to Digby Wharf

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 14:30:12 GMT

News release

Enhancements to Digby Wharf

6 July 2021 | 2:37 PM

Municipal Affairs (Feb. - Aug. 2021)

The Nova Scotia government is investing $1 million to upgrade and enhance Spurr Wharf at the Port of Digby.

The province is partnering with the federal government and the Digby Port Authority on the project, which will create an alternate access point to the wharf, additional berthing capacity and will improve safety.

“The provincial government supports municipalities and the infrastructure that is important to them to ensure healthy, safe and vibrant communities,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “This investment in the Port of Digby will benefit many, including fishing and aquaculture fleets, service providers, the marine tourism sector and recreational boaters.”

The federal government is contributing $1.2 million and the Digby Port Authority is contributing $500,000 to the project, which is funded through the Rural Northern Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

Quotes:

“Investments in public infrastructure are crucial to keeping our communities healthy, strong, and vibrant. Today’s investments in the Digby Wharf will ensure marine workers can benefit from a safer space for their jobs. Our government will continue to support projects like this across Canada, because we know that when our small communities thrive - we all benefit.”

– Andy Fillmore, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

“With $85 million in seafood landing annually in Digby, the port is a critical piece of infrastructure. The project at the Digby Wharf will significantly increase the capacity of the facility with safe, efficient berthage and additional floating docks for the robust scallop, lobster and aquaculture fisheries based out of the port.”

– Linda Gregory, warden, Municipality of the District of Digby

“The Digby Harbour Port Association has seen steady increase in activity to the point that we are regularly operating beyond our design capacity. The cooperation and assistance from our stakeholders and government has made the planned improvements possible. We are constantly working on improvements to the facility and seeking to provide service to additional complementary sectors.”

– Vance Hazelton, chair, Board of Directors, Digby Harbour Port Association

Quick Facts:

Total project cost is $3 million

The Digby Port Authority is an intermunicipal entity owned by the Town of Digby and Municipality of Digby and is overseen by a board of directors

Additional Resources:

Federal infrastructure investments in Nova Scotia: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-ns-eng.html
Department of Municipal Affairs website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/government/municipal-affairs

Investing in upgraded and safer marine infrastructure for Digby residents

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 14:14:22 GMT

News release

Investing in upgraded and safer marine infrastructure for Digby residents

6 July 2021 | 2:37 PM

Infrastructure Canada

Digby, Nova Scotia, July 6, 2021 —The Government of Canada recognizes the different ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted small and rural communities across Nova Scotia. That’s why it’s continuing to make strategic investments in infrastructure to meet the specific needs of these communities across the province.

Together, federal, provincial, and local governments are taking decisive action to support families, businesses, and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done as Canada begins to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

Today, Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development; the Honourable Iain Rankin, Premier of Nova Scotia; and Warden Linda Gregory of the Municipality of the District of Digby, announced funding for upgrades to the Digby Wharf.

The project will upgrade the Digby Harbour Wharf by placing floating docks along the Spur Wharf and End Ell, installing wave attenuators to protect against incoming waves, and creating a new and more accessible entrance to the wharf. These improvements will create additional space for boats to dock and generally improve worker safety.

The Government of Canada is investing $1.2 million dollars through the Rural and Northern Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada program, while the Government of Nova Scotia and is providing $1 million dollars. The Digby Harbour Port Authority is also contributing $500,000 dollars.

Quotes

“Investments in public infrastructure are crucial to keeping our communities healthy, strong, and vibrant. Today’s investments in the Digby Wharf will ensure marine workers have a safe and modern space to work in, each and every day. Our government will continue to support projects like this here in Nova Scotia and across Canada, because we know that when our communities thrive - we all benefit.”

Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

“The provincial government supports municipalities and the infrastructure that is important to them to ensure healthy, safe and vibrant communities,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “This investment in the Port of Digby will benefit many including fishing and aquaculture fleets, service providers, the marine tourism sector, and recreational boaters.”

The Honourable Iain Rankin, Premier of Nova Scotia

“With $85 million in seafood landing annually in Digby, the port is a critical piece of infrastructure. The project at the Digby Wharf will significantly increase the capacity of the facility with safe, efficient berthage and additional floating docks for the robust scallop, lobster, and aquaculture fisheries based out of the port.”

Warden Linda Gregory of the Municipality of the District of Digby

Quick facts

Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 Resilience Stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories.
Under the COVID-19 Resilience Stream, the federal cost share for public infrastructure projects is 80 per cent in the provinces, and 100 per cent in the territories and for projects intended for Indigenous communities.
To support smaller-scale projects, the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative is providing up to $31 million in existing federal funding to help communities adapt spaces and services to respond to immediate and ongoing needs arising from COVID-19 over the next two years.
The Government of Canada has invested over $914 million in 279 infrastructure projects across Nova Scotia under the Investing in Canada plan.
Across Canada, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic the Government of Canada has contributed $9.7 billion to 3,500 infrastructure projects.

digby-harbour-port-association

Port of Digby Master Plan

Port of Digby Master Plan

2023 Annual Report Digby Harbour Port Association

Annual Report Digby Harbour Port Association

2023 Annual Report Digby Harbour Port Association

Executive Summary – CEO, Edwin Chisholm

Sales

Operations

Repairs Our key opportunity to do wharf maintenance is the months of August and September.

Relationships

Conclusion

INTERACTIVE FLOOD MAPPING

Interactive Flood Mapping for Digby

2024

Chairman's Message 2024

Chairman's Message

Enhancements to Digby Wharf

News release

Municipal Affairs (Feb. - Aug. 2021)

Investing in upgraded and safer marine infrastructure for Digby residents

News release

Infrastructure Canada

Associated links

Repairs
Our key opportunity to do wharf maintenance is the months of August and September.