The federal government has officially said ‘no’ to infilling in Dartmouth Cove.

In a statement Monday, Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson says infilling in that part of the harbour would “permanently destroy” the marine life and supportive fish habitat.

“I am not convinced that the permanent destruction of the remaining marine life in this portion of the harbour, for private benefit, is required and justified in these particular circumstances,” says Thompson.

She says there is no approved project for the land and no benefit for the community.

“It’s infilling for the sake of infilling,” says Thompson.

Infilling in Dartmouth Cove has been a hot button topic for years.

Atlantic Road Construction and Paving applied in 2023 to put loads of pyritic slate in it; something the company says would benefit the aquatic life.

The application created a lot of public backlash with many fighting to protect the Cove.

In fact, says in his ten years as Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour Darren Fisher says he has never received more outreach on a single issue.

“For nearly four years, our community has spoken loudly against a proposal to infill nearly 7 acres of water in Dartmouth Cove with pyritic slate,” says Fisher. “It is clear that people in Dartmouth-Cole Harbour care deeply about protecting this special area.”

“Dartmouth Cove is not a dumping ground.”