A reported 2.8 million pounds of seafood and 640,000 cruise ship passengers passed through Victoria’s harbour in 2018, according to the not-for-profit Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA).
GVHA is responsible for the facilities from the Ogden Point Cruise Terminal and Fisherman’s Wharf to the Inner Harbour lower causeway, Steamship Terminal, and Ship Point.
2018 was a milestone and record-setting year for many of the organization’s properties.
“These valued community assets host dozens of events and welcome thousands of visitors and residents each year. This stewardship forms the basis of our vision as a working harbour where people live, learn, work, and play,” says Ian Robertson, CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
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The 2.8 million pounds of seafood was offloaded by commercial fishing vessels at Fisherman’s Wharf and included close to one million pounds of tuna. In addition to seafood, Fisherman’s Wharf saw four million litres of fuel dispensed at the fuel dock.
This year was a milestone for Ogden Point with Norwegian Bliss, the largest cruise ship to call to Ogden Point, pulling into Victoria on June 1. In all, 2018 had 250 cruise ship calls which brought 640,000 visitors and 230,000 crew members to Victoria, according to GVHA.
The barrier-free breakwater walkway next door to the cruise ship docks had an estimated 400,000 visitors throughout the year.
A total of 55 community events were held on GVHA properties, including the 75th Swiftsure International Yacht Race, CFB Esquimalt’s Defence on the Dock, World Oceans Day and the Indigenous Cultural Festival.
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Looking ahead, the joint GVHA and City of Victoria Ship Point repair project will see the 70-year old portion of the Ship Point pier replaced by spring 2019 and a $6.8 million project to extend the mooring dolphin at Ogden Point Pier B is expected to be complete in time for the 2019 cruise ship season in April.
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