The Fisheries

Facts and Figures about Fisheries in Nova Scotia

Source: D.F.O.

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

• The Maritime Region contains an increasingly viable fishing industry - in fact, the Scotia-Fundy commercial fishing industry is worth 40% more today than it was a decade ago. This creates more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, including approximately 13,000 full and part-time fishers, operating approximately 4,750 fishing vessels.

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 2004, Atlantic Canada's commercial fleets landed 919,560 metric tons (MT) of various sea fisheries, valued at $1.9 billion - more than 80% of Canada 's commercial sea fisheries .

– 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.

Major Fishing Zones• Gulf of St. Lawrence : Very complex management

(involves five provinces) and many seasonal changes for species

• Georges Bank: Excellent biological production due to warm temperatures, tidal mixing and food supply; managed by both Canada and USA

• Scotian Shelf: Main fishing grounds in NS; most stocks remain very depleted and fragile due to past overfishing; seal populations are increasing (therefore increasing some predation).

Methods of Fishing

• Two major commercial types:Fixed gear – stationary and left to passively fish for a period of time by attracting or trapping fishMobile gear – towed behind a boat to actively capture fish

Some specific types…

• Gillnets• Traps• Trawling (side, stern, otter, mid-water)• Dragging• Longline• Jigging• Weirs

Explorations...

• Video clips previews• Definitions of terms used in the fisheries• Worksheet on Fishing Methods – describe the

method, what is caught, and the environmental impacts; is it sustainable?

• Work in groups of 3 or 4 to do your research.