Breakwater Reconstruction at Port Morien Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Small Craft Harbour, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Small Craft Harbour branch is proposing to reconstruct the eastern breakwater at Port Morien Small Craft Harbour in Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia.  The existing ell-shaped breakwater consists of a stem section that provides protection to the adjacent service area along its lee side, and an outer ell section that is detached from the remainder of the harbour infrastructure. The proposed reconstructed breakwater will be orientated in the same ell configuration with the stem measuring approximately 185 m long and a 73 m-long ell section offset from the stem by approximately 50 degrees to the west.

The reconstruction will be carried out using land-based equipment including loaders, excavators and trucks that will access the breakwater from the service area that adjoins the back side of the structure. Construction will commence at the shoreline interface and proceed incrementally seaward, with successive placement of core, filter, and armour stone. The core stone berm will initially be constructed by end-dumping core stone material and shaping the exterior side slope to 2H:1V using a mechanical excavator. This berm will also function as an access road for construction equipment and materials. The exterior slopes of the berm will be overlaid with filter and armour stone, with individual stones placed by a mechanical excavator. Filter stone will be extended seaward at the base of the breakwater to form a shelf or ‘bump out' to provide scour protection. The breakwater crest will be capped with 8-12 tonne stone placed by an excavator working from the exterior end back to the shoreline. The new breakwater will be widened at the base to accommodate an increase of crest elevation that will range from 7.10 m above chart datum on the inner stem with the outer stem and ell sections at 7.60 m above chart datum. This will result in a footprint expansion below high normal tide (HNT) of approximately 440 m2.

Construction activities are anticipated to commence in fall 2027 and be completed by the end of March 2028. Project commencement is, however, subject to DFO-SCH operational priorities and funding, as well as the completion of regulatory approval processes, therefore work may be delayed. The scope of the impact assessment (subject to the Impact Assessment Act) will, therefore, be based on the works being completed over a period of 8 months commencing within a period of five years following finalization of the assessment.

Port Morien SCH is currently a core fishing harbour that was strategically developed to serve the fishing industry in the area. The harbour currently has considerable marine infrastructure and remains well situated and protected to support the local fisheries. The main purpose of the proposed project is to repair existing infrastructure to support the continued viability of the harbour for the commercial fishery and other commercial and recreational sectors.

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Latest update

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

October 13, 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 breakwater reconstruction project, located at the Port Morien Small Craft Harbour in Nova Scotia 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:

 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Small Craft Harbours

Maritime and Gulf Regions

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

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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

    • Port Morien Small Craft Harbour (Nova Scotia)

  • Nature of activity

    • Ports and Harbours

  • Assessment status

    In progress

  • Start date

    2026-10-13

  • Proponent

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Small Craft Harbours

  • Authorities

    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • Transport Canada

  • Assessment type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference number

    90831

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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