1. CANADA’S RESOURCES: FISHING
GONE FISHING IN THE ATLANTIC

2. Atlantic Region: One of the World’s Best Fishing Regions
Why?
Offshore underwater physiography (fig 23-4 pg 281)
The continental shelf provides fishing banks (a shallow area where fish gather to feed and spawn)
Phytoplankton flourish
Sunlight penetrates the upper levels of the water promoting growth of phytoplankton
Circulating Ocean Currents (Gulf Stream)
Stir up the water making the nutrients available to the phytoplankton

3. The above 3 factors combine to help boost the Marine Life Food Chain
Small fish
(herring, shell fish)
Zooplankton Large fish
(microscopic single (cod, haddock)
Cell animal organism)
(dead and decaying
organic matter)
Phytoplankton
(microscopic single cell plant organism)

4. Inshore vs Offshore Fisheries
uses small boats to fish in waters close to the coastline (figure 23-6 on pg 282)
Offshore:
uses large vessels to fish in waters far from the shore (figure 23-6 on pg 282)

5. Characteristics of Inshore Fishery
Boats remain within km of shore; return each day
majority of Atlantic fishing labour force (85%)
Only 10% of total Atlantic catch
majority of all fishing boats
Boats are small; crews of 1 – 6 people
Boats are independently owned and family run

6. Characteristics of Inshore Fishery cont’d…
Most boats are older and have limited equipment (too expensive new)
Inshore harvest includes: lobster, shrimp, oysters, clams, herring, mackerel, haddock, redfish, hake, and halibut
Incomes are low and irregular
Inshore fishers must supplement their incomes with other work

7. Characteristics of Offshore Fishery
Operates out at sea (370 km is the fishing limit)
15% of fishers work in the offshore fishery
majority of the total Atlantic catch (90%)
Boats are larger (20 – 50 metres)
Boats are equipped with the latest technology

8. Characteristics of Offshore Fishery cont’d…
Use large nets to scoop up 1000’s of kilograms of fish
Withstand many weather hazards
Operate year round
Stay at sea 2 – 3 weeks at a time
Boats have their own processing equipment
Owned and operated by large companies (unionized employees)