The importance of the fishing industry
Fishing in the ocean is Canada’s oldest industry. In the early 1500s, many European countries would come to Canada every summer to take advantage of the rich fishing grounds that Newfoundland had to offer. The Europeans even set up summer fishing stations and eventually, permanent villages. The fish that were caught were sent to Europe, the United States, and the West Indies. Fishing provided an economic base for the settlement of Europeans in parts of the east coast, Quebec and British Columbia. Canada is one of the world’s leading exporters of fish, mostly because Canadians don’t eat much fish that is caught here. Because of that, more than 80% of the Canadian catch is exported. We have a balance of trade because our fish exports are significantly larger than our seafood imports. Commercial fishing is the foundation of the economy in parts of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and some inland areas. It takes place on the west and east coast, and in large fresh water lakes. Today, it only makes up about 0.1% of the total value of Canada’s economy. Commercial fishing has a special place in Canada’s cultural heritage and is part of the traditional way of life.
Balance of trade
In Canada’s fishing industry, our fish exports are much greater than our seafood imports, which helps our balance of trade. The most important markets for our fish are the United States, Western Europe and the countries of the Pacific Rim, mostly Japan. Without the trade in fish, the cost for fish would go up, it would not be available, or, if available, it would be an unreliable supply.
Inshore fishing
Inshore fishing takes place close to the shoreline, within around 16 to 25 km from the shore. The percent of the fishing industry labour force is 85% and the percentage of total catch is 10%. Smaller boats that are up to 20m in length usually with fixed gear such as lobster traps are typically used for inshore fishing. Families and individuals have ownership of boats and other equipment and this job is self-employed. The size of the crew is small (around 1 to 6 people) and the fishing season is mainly in the warmer months. Every morning, fishing boats travel to coastal fishing areas and the fish that are caught are processed onshore, typically in small to medium sized plants. People who are involved in inshore fishing often live in small coastal communities and their incomes ae often unstable and low, there is a large dependency on government support.
Fishing in the ocean is Canada’s oldest industry. In the early 1500s, many European countries would come to Canada every summer to take advantage of the rich fishing grounds that Newfoundland had to offer. The Europeans even set up summer fishing stations and eventually, permanent villages. The fish that were caught were sent to Europe, the United States, and the West Indies. Fishing provided an economic base for the settlement of Europeans in parts of the east coast, Quebec and British Columbia. Canada is one of the world’s leading exporters of fish, mostly because Canadians don’t eat much fish that is caught here. Because of that, more than 80% of the Canadian catch is exported. We have a balance of trade because our fish exports are significantly larger than our seafood imports. Commercial fishing is the foundation of the economy in parts of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and some inland areas. It takes place on the west and east coast, and in large fresh water lakes. Today, it only makes up about 0.1% of the total value of Canada’s economy. Commercial fishing has a special place in Canada’s cultural heritage and is part of the traditional way of life.
Balance of trade
In Canada’s fishing industry, our fish exports are much greater than our seafood imports, which helps our balance of trade. The most important markets for our fish are the United States, Western Europe and the countries of the Pacific Rim, mostly Japan. Without the trade in fish, the cost for fish would go up, it would not be available, or, if available, it would be an unreliable supply.
Inshore fishing
Inshore fishing takes place close to the shoreline, within around 16 to 25 km from the shore. The percent of the fishing industry labour force is 85% and the percentage of total catch is 10%. Smaller boats that are up to 20m in length usually with fixed gear such as lobster traps are typically used for inshore fishing. Families and individuals have ownership of boats and other equipment and this job is self-employed. The size of the crew is small (around 1 to 6 people) and the fishing season is mainly in the warmer months. Every morning, fishing boats travel to coastal fishing areas and the fish that are caught are processed onshore, typically in small to medium sized plants. People who are involved in inshore fishing often live in small coastal communities and their incomes ae often unstable and low, there is a large dependency on government support.
Offshore fishing
Offshore fishing takes place farther out in the sea, to edges of continental shelf up to 370km from shore. The percentage of the fishing industry labour force is 15% and the percentage of total catch is 90%. Larger boats of around 50m in length, usually with mobile fish nets are used in offshore fishing. Large companies take ownership of boats and equipment and employees are from large fishing companies. The size of a crew is large, around 12 to 16 people and the fishing season is all year long, in all types of weather. Fishing trips can take up to 2 weeks at a time and can be partially processed on board before they are taken and processed at large fishing plants. People involved in offshore fishing live in larger coastal communities and their income is higher and more stable.
Offshore fishing takes place farther out in the sea, to edges of continental shelf up to 370km from shore. The percentage of the fishing industry labour force is 15% and the percentage of total catch is 90%. Larger boats of around 50m in length, usually with mobile fish nets are used in offshore fishing. Large companies take ownership of boats and equipment and employees are from large fishing companies. The size of a crew is large, around 12 to 16 people and the fishing season is all year long, in all types of weather. Fishing trips can take up to 2 weeks at a time and can be partially processed on board before they are taken and processed at large fishing plants. People involved in offshore fishing live in larger coastal communities and their income is higher and more stable.
Difference between Groundfish, Pelagic fish, and Shellfish
Groundfish, Pelagic fish and Shellfish are three categories of ocean fish that are caught by Canadian Fishers. Groundfish are fish that live and feed near the ocean floor. Examples of groundfish are cod, Pollock, haddock, halibut and redfish. Pelagic fish are fish that live and fear near the surface of the ocean. Examples of these fish are salmon, herring, mackerel, tuna and caplin. Shellfish are animals that don’t have backbones, but they do have hard protective shells. Examples of shellfish are shrimp, lobster, oysters, scallops and mussels.
Groundfish, Pelagic fish and Shellfish are three categories of ocean fish that are caught by Canadian Fishers. Groundfish are fish that live and feed near the ocean floor. Examples of groundfish are cod, Pollock, haddock, halibut and redfish. Pelagic fish are fish that live and fear near the surface of the ocean. Examples of these fish are salmon, herring, mackerel, tuna and caplin. Shellfish are animals that don’t have backbones, but they do have hard protective shells. Examples of shellfish are shrimp, lobster, oysters, scallops and mussels.