Iqaluit (Nov 01/04) - Cautious optimism surrounds a federal government investigation into building breakwaters in seven Nunavut communities, but at least one official said funding is not yet guaranteed.

"The department did commit to looking into it and that's a positive thing," said Alan Kathan, the Department of Fisheries and Ocean's manager of western area small craft harbours while in Iqaluit Oct. 20. "But there is no money at this point."

The Government of Nunavut had asked DFO for $23 million to put breakwater facilities in four Baffin communities.

Visits this past summer to Qikiqtarjuaq, Panniqtuuq, Clyde River, Pond Inlet, Repulse Bay, Chesterfield Inlet and Kugaaruk, came in response to that request, he said. Work on reports outlining each community's needs, two or three potential breakwater designs, the cost to build, along with the socio-economic benefits to each project began about three weeks ago, Kathan said.

Without proper docking facilities, communities such as Panniqtuuq and Qikiqtarjuaq face difficulties starting full-fledged fish processing operations.

In Clyde River, the community has been unable to afford to buy a new large-scale fishing boat after previous boats were damaged during storms.

"We want to make it functional so that their boats are never destroyed," Kathan said.

Many of the communities have been waiting for proper docking facilities for years.

"We do need it very badly. It would also help locals putting their boats away when it becomes windy," said Seemee Nookiguak, manager of the Qikiqtarjuaq Hunters' and Trappers' Organization.

Regardless of the reports' recommendations, funding still has to be approved by DFO officials.

Kathan said he expects the final reports for the Baffin communities to be ready by the end of November.

Additional visits to the Kivalliq are expected to be made in mid-November.