Canada’s Fisheries
October 30th, 2017
Canada’s FisheriesValue % Weight %
Atlantic 67% 70%
Pacific 30% 28%
Freshwater 3% 2%
Overview
• Canada’s fisheries are significant, but considerably smaller in size of catch compared to Russia or Japan
• Canada leads the world in the export of fish
• Canada’s fishing industry has three sectors
• Fisheries refers specifically to the catching of wild fish, however aquaculture is becoming a significant economic activity in many parts of the country
• Recreational or Sport Fishing is also a way that fisheries can be utilized as a resource
John Cabot
• Italian sailor whose journey’s were financed by England
• “Discovered” Newfoundland in 1497
• Found the waters off the Grand Banks teeming with cod
• In a letter to the King he claimed the abundance of fish could “feed the kingdom until the end of time”
Wet and Dry Fisheries
• Soon after Cabot’s discoveries the French and Portuguese were showing up to fish off the Grand Banks
• Most preferred the “wet” or “green fishery”
• The English favoured the dry fishery and thus began to establish settlements on shore
Modern Fishing in the Atlantic
• Atlantic Canadian Fishery is characterized by Offshore and Inshorefisheries
Aquaculture – Farming Fish
• Most operations are cage based
• Land based is possible but more expensive
• Salmon Farming Major industry in New Brunswick
• Environmental concerns:• Spread of disease
• Use of pesticides
• Escaped Fish
• Types of feed used
Pacific Fishery
• Wild Pacific Salmon still being fished commercially by net trawlers and trolling throughout most of the year
New Brunswick: The First Nations
Mi’kmaq & Maliseet
Both groups relied on fish for survival, but fished in different ways
Recreational Fishery
• NB is home to the world’s finest Atlantic Salmon fishing
• Miramichi & Restigouche Rivers
• Locals in these areas rely on the fishery as major economic activity
Canadian Fisheries Disputes
Research and report on each of the following stories relating to fisheries disputes in Canada
• The Turbot War
• The France-Canada Maritime Fishing Dispute
• R. v. Marshall and the Burnt Church Crisis
1. Who was involved? (stakeholders)
2. What resources are at stake?
3. What was the result?
Canadian Geography 120:Canadian Fisheries Assignment• Find a news article reporting on a particular fisheries dispute or related issue
• Summarize the article
• Be sure to include:• Discussion of exactly where it happened• What species of fish involved• The point of view of both sides in the dispute• Your own personal opinion
• You may want to consider…• Turbot War• Dispute over Hans Island• Burnt Church Crisis• French Fishing Dispute• Environmental Effects of Aquaculture• Zero Retention Salmon Fishing in NB• R vs. Marshall
Fisheries Assignment
• Choose a town/city in Canada that relies on a fishery as a main source of economic activity
• Include maps showing the location of the town (Map of Canada, provincial map)
• Describe briefly the history of the fishery, what species are targeted, how they’re fished, etc.
• Use charts to indicate the value of the fishery• Jobs• #’s of fish• Value in $$
• Describe challenges being faced by the fishery and how they are being dealt with
• Comment on what you think the future of the fishery may look like
Protecting the Fisheries• Atlantic Cod: Total Catch per year
• 1950 = 400,000 tonnes
• 1960 = 900,000 tonnes
• 1968 = 2,000,000 tonnes
• In 1977 this incited Canada to declare an extension of their territorial waters in from 22km to 370km
• 1988 Canada suspended French fishing rights
• Canadian navy stopped and arrested and jailed the crew of a French trawler
• French authorities then captured the crew of a Canadian vessel
• Matters were settled through a 5 member international tribunal