Fishing

Introduction Ocean fishing is Canada’s oldest industry Commercial fishing makes up only about 0.1% of Canada’s economy Occurs in 3 areas; 1. East Coast 2. West Coast 3. Freshwater Inland Lakes Canada fish exports are greater than our imports. This helps our balance of trade. Important export markets are; USA, W. Europe, and Japan.

Three Categories of Catch 1. Ground fish Fish that feed and are caught near the ocean floor Cod Haddock Halibut Pollock

Pelagic Fish Fish that feed and are caught near the surface Salmon Herring Mackerel Tuna

- Molluscs and crustaceans (animals without a backbone) 3. Shellfish - Molluscs and crustaceans (animals without a backbone) Shrimp Lobster Oysters Scallops

The East Coast Fishery Until recently, one of the world’s great fishing grounds. Favourable conditions: 1. Wide continental shelf (less than 200m in depth) 2. Shallow fishing banks (less than 150m deep) on the continental shelf. Sunlight penetrates, allowing plankton to grow, which attracts large numbers of fish. 3. The meeting of the cold Labrador Current and the warm Gulf Stream on the Grand Banks churns up nutrients that are necessary for the growth of plankton.

Why did the East Coast Fishery collapse? 1. Overfishing 2. Improved Fishing Technology 3. Uncontrolled Foreign Fishing 4. Destructive Fishing Practices 5. Changes in Natural Conditions

Types of Fishing Inshore- commercial fishing that takes place within a few km’s (~10 km’s) of the shoreline. Small fishing boats go out to sea and return to shore each day. Offshore – ocean fishery done from boats longer than 25m. The boats stay at sea for several days before returning to shore with their catch.