Funds for fishing handed out

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The commercial fishing industry in northern Saskatchewan will be getting a boost, thanks to a $515,000 grant from the Centenary Fund.

Commercial fishing cooperatives in Cumberland House, Deschambault Lake, Dillon, Fond du Lac, Ile-a-la-Crosse, La Loche, Montreal Lake/Wayakwin, Patuanak, Pinehouse, Sandy Bay, Turnor Lake, Wollaston Lake, and the Wapaweka cooperative in La Ronge will be sharing the money, which will be used to build new fish packing plants and ice-houses, buy new equipment, and make improvements to existing buildings and equipment.

The grant is being provided as part of the Northern Saskatchewan Commercial Fishing Infrastructure Program, a $700,000 program aimed at improving lakeside facilities used for preparing fish catches for shipment. A total of 17 projects are being funded through the program, with cooperatives in Dore Lake, Pelican Narrows, Reindeer Lake and Smoothstone Lake previously receiving funding under the program.

The program is being managed by the Saskatchewan Commercial Fishermen's Co-operative Federation Ltd., in cooperation with Saskatchewan Northern Affairs.