Wharf Reconstruction at the Red Head Small Craft Harbour, Kings County, Prince Edward Island

The Red Head Small Craft Harbour (SCH) is situated within St. Peters Bay, an embayment on Prince Edward Island's North Shore that drains into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.  The harbour consists of an enclosed basin formed by rigid wharf structures extending along the eastern and western shorelines. The western portion of the harbour includes four connected marginal wharves (SCH Facility Numbers (#) 406, 409, 411, and 413) and an 80 m floating wharf pier (#801) extending into the basin. Together, the marginal wharves are approximately 144 m long and connect to a paved service area. Existing wharf infrastructure is in poor condition and requires substantial rehabilitation or replacement. The service area also contains 13 privately owned gear sheds and a timber canopy structure located on wharf #406.

 

The proposed works will involve the replacement and upgrading of the existing harbour infrastructure while maintaining the existing wharf alignment and overall footprint. To facilitate construction, the gear sheds and canopy will be removed. The existing floating wharf pier, including all floats, gangways, anchors, chains, and connection hardware, will be completely removed. Wharves #406 and #411 will also be fully demolished, including all associated timber structural components. Excavation of existing asphalt and backfill materials behind the marginal wharves will occur to prepare the site for reconstruction.

 

Construction of the new marginal wharves will be completed in three phases. Wharves #406 and #411 will be replaced with a new steel sheet pile wall system supported by tie-backs. Wharf #413, an existing king pile wall structure, will remain in place and be raised to the new design elevation through the installation of steel pile extensions and precast concrete panels. Wharf #409, also a king pile (a.k.a. "Berlin wall") structure, will be retained and strengthened through encapsulation within a new steel sheet pile wall system.

 

All reconstructed wharves will be raised to an elevation of 3.4 m above chart datum. Areas behind the wharves will be backfilled, compacted, and graded to match the existing service area. New reinforced concrete deck surfaces will be installed on the wharves, transitioning to asphalt pavement within the service area.

 

The project also includes the installation of two new floating wharf piers extending approximately 67m into the harbour basin. Each floating pier will consist of treated timber floats and 12 m finger floats on either side to accommodate stern berthing. New electrical and lighting infrastructure will be installed throughout both the fixed and floating wharf systems as part of the harbour upgrade.

 

Construction activities may commence as early as January 2027, 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 eighteen (18) months commencing within a period of 5 years following the determination of significance of environmental effects. 

 

The Red Head Small Craft Harbour is an important regional harbour that supports commercial fishing and aquaculture operations. The project is needed to replace aging and deteriorated wharf infrastructure to ensure the harbour can continue operating safely and effectively. Most existing wharves have reached the end of their service life and require replacement, while wharf #413 will be retained and upgraded due to its remaining structural integrity. Abandoning the harbour is not considered feasible, as it serves approximately 39 home-port fishing vessels and local aquaculture operations, and no nearby harbour capable of accommodating the displaced fleet. The proposed reconstruction using steel sheet pile structures was identified as the most technically and economically viable option.

More

Latest update

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

September 16, 2026 – The Small Craft Harbours branch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada as well as Transport Canada intend to make a determination regarding whether carrying out of the wharf reconstruction project at the Red Head 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 - September 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 NB 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

    • Red Head Small Craft Harbour (Prince Edward Island)

  • Nature of activity

    • Ports and Harbours

  • Assessment status

    In progress

  • Start date

    2026-05-08

  • Proponent

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Small Craft Harbours

  • Authorities

    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • Transport Canada

  • Assessment type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference number

    90777

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
Report a problem on this page
Date modified: