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