The relationship between settler communities in Canada and the fishing industry is deeply rooted from coast to coast. However, the settler approach to fishing differs significantly from Indigenous practices, where settlers have historically played a more disruptive role due to little consideration for sustainable practices. Despite this, settler communities have also experienced instability in their interactions with fish populations. Working-class settlers, particularly in Atlantic Canadian regions like Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia, have depended heavily on commercial fishing of cod and halibut to sustain their livelihoods. These fish populations, however, have often proven to be vulnerable and subject to fluctuations.
To learn more about unstable fish species and the causes of their endangerment feel free to visit The Health of Our Oceans
Commercial Cod fishing in NFL, Hakai Magazine.
The ocean is a shared resource, and while Canada has a responsibility to ensure sustainable fish populations for both settler and Indigenous communities, we must also recognize that these waters are not exclusively ours. International overfishing, particularly when not adequately policed, has historically impacted thousands of Canadians who depend on fishing to support their families and communities. Protecting these shared resources through sustainable practices internationally is essential for maintaining the livelihoods of Canadians and preserving marine ecosystems for future generations. See The Convention of the Laws of The Sea for more information on international fishing agreements.
Fred Morris, 85, with a HUGE Halibut catch in Hermitage Bay, NFL. 2024
In 1992, the Canadian government imposed a moratorium on the Northern cod fishery along the east coast due to severe overfishing that had drastically reduced cod populations. This decision abruptly ended nearly 500 years of cod fishing in Newfoundland and Labrador, leaving about 30,000 people unemployed and deeply impacting hundreds of coastal communities that depended on the industry. This is often viewed as the biggest layoff in Canadian history. Overnight, a multigenerational culture was outlawed, and thousands of local operations stopped, while International fishing continued unregulated.
What is important to note here, is that the cod populations were declining due to international overfishing of boats coming from Europe, Asia and the Netherlands that were parked directly on the line of international waters. So while this moratorium was designed to save the declining cod populations, international boats were still overfishing freely just outside the margins of regulation, making the eventual return to cod fishing even slower for Canadians.
<aside> 🐠
Want to learn more about the Cod Moritorium and how it affected Newfoundland’s history? Check out Newfoundland and Labrador’s Heritage Site!
</aside>
To support displaced workers, the government launched programs like the Northern Cod Adjustment and Rehabilitation Program (NCARP) and later, The Atlantic Groundfish Strategy (TAGS). These programs offered financial assistance and retraining, aiming to reduce the number of people relying on the fishery. However, while they provided temporary support, these initiatives largely fell short of preparing workers for new careers (as alternative career focused training was not provided) or reducing dependency on the industry. Many workers were unable to transition successfully to other fields, leading to high unemployment rates, dependence on government aid, and significant out-migration from the region.
After the moratorium, the fishery shifted towards shellfish, particularly snow crab and shrimp, which helped the industry rebound. However, the shellfish industry now faces its own challenges, such as overcapacity, declining stock sizes, and concerns about sustainability. As of June 26 2024, the 32 year ban of commercial cod fishing in Newfoundland has been lifted! The Canadian cod-rich waters of the North have now been reopened to both Canadian commercial fishing operations and international ones as cod populations have stabilized. To read more about the removal of the historic moratorium check out the CBC’s full report.