Iqaluit (July 26/04) - Four communities are in line for new harbours in a $23 million proposal to build breakwaters.

Representatives from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans visited Clyde River, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq and Panniqtuuq July 13-15 in response to a Nunavut government request for breakwater funding.

"We wanted to sit down and ask them what their needs are," said Alan Kathan, DFO's manager of western area small craft harbours.

The communities had lots of ideas, Kathan said.

Pond Inlet already had a draft breakwater plan drawn up.

"With the research we're doing with our consultants, we might be able to make their job a little bit easier," said economic development officer Colin Saunders.

Other communities were also well prepared for the meetings.

"The community has been pushing for this for quite some time now," said Clyde River senior administrative officer Steven Aipellee. "But nothing's guaranteed."

Clyde River has had two 45-foot fishing trawlers destroyed within the last eight years. The community purchased a 25-foot boat two years ago because they could not afford the $100,000 to purchase another trawler.

"They have no protection so even smaller boats could be damaged," said Kathan.

He said breakwaters similar to the one in Iqaluit are being considered for the communities, Kathan said.

Kathan and his team plan to visit Chesterfield Inlet, Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay later this summer to assess their needs as well.

A possible funding announcement will not come until this fall, Kathan said.

If the project is approved, the Nunavut government would still have to get equipment to do the work.

"Right now, we don't have the equipment in the communities," said Methusalah Kunuk, assistant deputy minister for the department of transportation.

The department is looking at a model similar to what was utilized in Quebec where one set of equipment is moved around to complete the work, Kunuk said.