Cleaning Up Contaminated Sediments in Whitby Harbour
Official title: Whitby Harbour Remediation Project
Whitby Harbour's bottom is contaminated with dioxins and furans—chemicals that can build up in fish and potentially harm people who eat them. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is dredging about 120,000 cubic metres of contaminated mud and sand to reduce health risks. The project started in 2024 and will continue through March 2026.
Why This Matters
Fish from Whitby Harbour? You might want to think twice. The sediment contains chemicals that accumulate in fish tissue. If you boat, swim, or walk the Waterfront Trail here, this cleanup affects your backyard. The marina and yacht club stay open during work, but expect some disruption through 2026.
What Could Change
About 120,000 cubic metres of contaminated sediment will be removed from the harbour bottom. Once complete, fish should be safer to eat and direct contact with harbour sediments will pose lower health risks. The temporary storage area and transfer dock will be removed by August 2026.
Key Issues
- How should contaminated sediments be removed while minimizing disruption to harbour users?
- What environmental protections are needed during dredging to protect water quality?
How to Participate
- Visit the Whitby Harbour project page to learn about the remediation work and project updates.
- Submit questions or feedback by email to dfo.opinfowhitby.mpo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or call the project hotline at 1-833-551-2702.