A Pilot Study of Small Craft Harbors in Nova Scotia, Canada: Examining Livelihoods Associated with These Facilities

In Canada, small craft harbors (SCHs) are a federal government responsibility under Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). SCHs are economic centers for many rural coastal communities in Canada. By studying the role of SCHs on livelihoods one can delineate their importance to the users and community. The pilot study utilized semi-structured telephone interviews to speak with 19 participants from Nova Scotia, Canada. Participants included users and harbor authorities on whether the SCH they use or manage impacts their livelihood or community. Results indicate SCHs provide an essential avenue for users and communities to support their livelihoods. However, the degree to which they were essential varies between SCHs. SCH users have sufficient capital assets (financial, natural, human, social, and physical) to use the facilities. However, several participants indicated they lack funds from the federal government to maintain their SCHs. Therefore, two critical hindrances in supporting prosperous livelihoods were funding from the federal government and SCHs that lack access to a harbor authority.