1. Fisheries Oceans 11 Facts and Figures about Fisheries in Nova Scotia Source: D.F.O.

2. Fisheries Unlike other natural resources such as oil and gas, fish are a renewable resource. People in coastal regions have been using fish as a major food source for thousands of years.

3. Fisheries… In 1997, the global fishery took 100.8 million tons of fish, crustaceans and molluscs. In 2007, the take was 90 million tons. Fishing also employs 15 million people worldwide, but is the most dangerous job in the US (155 deaths per 100,000 fishers).

4. Fisheries… Of the thousands of species of marine organisms in the ocean, only ~500 species are regularly caught as part of a commercial fishery. The largest commercial harvest is of the herring and its relatives (sardines, anchovies) which comprise a fifth of the worldwide catch of marine resources caught each year.

5. Where are the major fisheries around the world? Near the coast (runoff of nutrients areas of upwelling occur here). At high latitudes, nutrients are brought up by mixing during winter storms. Upwelling is common on the equator, and here too upwelling brings up nutrients. Turbulent currents around seamounts also bring up nutrients. Areas rich in phytoplankton feed zooplankton, which feed small fish, which feed large fish.

6. Some important fishing areas: Shallow seas such as the Bering Sea. Large continental shelves such as the Grand Banks offshore of eastern Canada. The north Atlantic from the Grand Banks to Iceland, Scotland, and Norway. The eastern equatorial Pacific. Upwelling areas offshore of California, Peru, Namibia, and Somalia.

7. Not all bad news… The Nova Scotia fishing industry (harvesting and processing) is a major source of direct and indirect employment and income, and is the province’s leading source of export earnings. In 2006 the value of Nova Scotia’s commercial Landings was $656 694 000

8. What is being Caught? The commercial fishery targets over 30 species. – Shellfish is the main species group, with lobster, scallop, snow crab and shrimp the main species. In 2002, shellfish accounted for 84% of landed value. – Groundfish continues to play a significant role (11% of landed value), though much diminished from the 1970s and 1980s, when this species group accounted for over 50% of landed value. Cod, haddock, flatfishes and hake are the leading species. – Within the pelagic group (5% of landed value), herring, swordfish and tuna are the main species.

11. Major Fishing Zones Gulf of St. Lawrence Georges Bank Scotian Shelf

12. Gulf of St. Lawrerce Very complex management Involves five provinces Many seasonal changes for species

13. Georges Bank Excellent biological production due to warm temperatures, tidal mixing and food supply. Managed by both Canada and USA

14. Scotian Shelf Main fishing grounds in NS Most stocks remain very depleted and fragile due to past overfishing. Seal populations are increasing (therefore increasing predation).

15. Canada’s Ocean Estate Canada’s ocean estate covers a surface area of approximately 7.1 million square kilometres. This represents an area equivalent to about 70 percent of Canada's land mass.

16. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Also known as the 200 mile limit is an area of the sea extending out to 200 nautical miles from baselines (low water line along shores). Within this zone a coastal state has sovereign and jurisdictional rights over exploration and management (e.g. scientific research and protection of the marine environment), and economic exploitation of living and non-living resources in the waters above the seabed, in the seabed and beneath the seabed.

17. 200-Mile Limit (in green)

18. Nova Scotia – Example of Fishery Lobster Season – From Digby around to Cole Harbour – Lobster Fishing Areas 33 and 34 November 28 th to May 31 st This area accounts for over 40% of Canada’s lobster catch.

19. Atlantic Lobster Lobster fishing vessels are less then 45 ft long. Limited to 375 to 400 traps per year.

20. Management of Atlantic Lobster Fishery The lobster fishery is managed by effort control, which involves limits to the number of traps and fishing days. A number of measures address conservation in the fishery. These include: – minimum lobster carapace size of 82.5 mm (3.25 inches) – a limited number of licensed fishing vessels (985) in the lobster fishing area – seasonal openings and closures to limit catch and protect molts with soft shells – a limit of 375 or 400 traps for each licensed fishing vessel depending on the time of year – escape mechanisms that enable undersized lobsters to exit traps – rules governing the size, design and type of trap – biodegradable components that will dismantle traps if lost at sea and therefore prevent “ghost” fishing – a rule requiring the release and marking of all female lobsters bearing eggs

21. How do they catch lobster? Use of a trap Most dangerous time of year for lobster trapping!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feat ure=player_embedded&v=linihCkB 3rk# http://www.youtube.com/watch?feat ure=player_embedded&v=linihCkB 3rk# http://thisfish.info/accounts/user/SteveW atkins/?gid=1 http://thisfish.info/accounts/user/SteveW atkins/?gid=1

22. Methods of Fishing Two Methods: Fixed gear – stationary and left to passively fish for a period of time by attracting or trapping fish Mobile gear – towed behind a boat to actively capture fish Which method does the lobster fishery use?

23. More specific types… Gillnets Traps Trawling (side, stern, otter, mid-water) Dragging Tonging Longline Jigging You will learn more about these types soon!

24. Issue: Bykill  animals that are unintentionally killed when desirable organisms are fished  in many cases, bykill exceeds the target catch  thousands of dolphins were bycaught in tuna nets until regulations changed the net design and ship maneuvers

25. Trawling Bykill

26. Drift Net Bykill

27. Your Task Complete – Intro Fisheries Review Questions Key Fisheries Vocabulary Activity Fishing Methods Study