Fishing in CanadaA Natural Renewable Resource

Back to the SettlersStarted in the 1500’sGreat Britain, France, Spain, Portugal

Harvest fishing grounds off NewfoundlandFishing stations

Permanent VillagesDried, salted shipped

Europe, United States & West Indies

Plentiful Fish

Fishery Number of Fishers

Tonnes of Fish

Percentage of Total Catch

Value of Catch($millions)

Total Exports($millions)

East Coast

44 897 861 441 80 1786 3453

West Coast

49 906 194 434 18 330 996

Freshwater

6900 19 981 2 28 148

Canada(Total) 99 703 1 075

856100 2114 4687

What part?Category Description Examples

Groundfish Fish that feed and are caught near the ocean floor

Cod, Pollock, Haddock, Halibut, redfish

Pelagic fish Fish that feed and are caught near the surface

Salmon, Herring, Mackerel, Tuna, Caplin

Shellfish Molluscs and crustaceans

Shrimp, lobster, oysters, scallops, mussels

Crisis in the East Coast Fishery1980’s

People in the East Coast Fishery relying on groundfish catching fewer and smaller fish Specifically Cod

199125% decline from 1990

1992Over 50% decline from 1990Government bans fishing of cod

What Happened?Sustained yield management

Sustaining renewable resources Number caught each year does not exceed the

amount of fish reaching maturity in that year

OverfishingMore fish caught than fish reaching maturity

Miscalculation SYM not working

What Happened?Improved Fishing Technology

WWII Larger, more powerful engine-driven trawlers

Sonar & satellite navigation systems

Uncontrolled Foreign FishingCountries such as Russia and Japan sending

fleets that exceeded the SYM numbersUnited Nations

Extended national fishing limits and controls to protect SYM numbers

Forces other countries to follow fishing restrictions

What Happened?Catching unwanted fish

Already dead Not reported as caught

Changes in Natural ConditionsDrop in water temperaturesSalinity levels changedPossible change in migratory routesSeals

Decrease in sealing population therefore increase in seal population Seals eating fish

Collapse of the West Coast Fishery1994

1 million decrease in salmon From spawning grounds on upper Fraser River in

BC

Lack of data on numbers of salmon to be fished/year

What Happened?Overfishing

1990’s Canadian & American fishing boats catching over

800 000 tonnes of fish/year between California & Alaska Too few adult salmon reached spawning rivers

Was over 100 major fishing plants in BC, now fewer than 10

What Happened?Changes in Environment

Increase in ocean temperatures Salmon prefer water below 7˚C

Warming water forcing salmon north Preference of cooler water and warming ocean

waters could force salmon to northern Alaska Fewer salmon in rivers of BC

Lack of Salmon TreatyDispute between Canada & U.S. Regarding the

conservation of salmon on west coast

Fishing Industry TODAYSport Fishing

4 million people a year

Fishing EquipmentBoats, accommodation, meals, guides and

licenses$6.7 billion

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