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