For over 500 years, Atlantic Canada had one of the world’s richest commercial fisheries. The Grand Banks were long a major source of cod, one of the world’s leading food fishes.
From the 1950s on, new fishing technologies — including dragnet fishing — and expanding markets for seafood caused overfishing. In 1977, Canada intervened to protect dwindling stocks and the Atlantic fishery by extending the offshore limit to 370 kilometres (200 nautical miles). But by the late 1980s, groundfish stocks (fish living near the ocean floor, such as cod and halibut) were seriously depleted. In 1992, the steep decline in cod and other groundfish prompted Canada to curtail cod fishing off eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. What was originally a two-year government moratorium has since been extended indefinitely. Unfortunately, some foreign trawlers continue to overfish outside Canada’s 200-mile protective limit.
Synopsis
The animation shows a map of Newfoundland, zooming in on particular locations in time with the narration to illustrate the location of a particular event in the timeline. A self-running timeline with scrollable bar along the bottom indicates the year being described.
Content (Narration)
Beginning in 1497, John Cabot cruises the Newfoundland coast and finds cod in abundance.
At the dawn of the 16th century, French, English, Portuguese, Spanish and Basque fishermen begin fishing the waters off Newfoundland.
In 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert claims Newfoundland in the name of Queen Elizabeth the first. French crews in the area object.
Bernard Drake destroys Spain's Newfoundland fishing fleet in 1585, and three years later helps defeat the Armada. England gains control of the Avalon Peninsula fisheries.
In 1610, John Guy establishes Canada’s first English settlement at Cupers Cove. The island's residents will resist England’s subsequent attempts to control the cod fishery.
Throughout the 18th century, the region’s cod fishing is increasingly controlled by Newfoundland’s own resident fishermen.
During the 80 years between 1804 and 1884, Newfoundland's population increases tenfold to reach 200,000.
Governor Vice-Admiral Francis Pickmore dies in 1817, his first winter in Newfoundland. In 1824, Newfoundland's status changes from British fishing station to crown colony. The first legislative elections are held in 1832.
1968 sees the peak catch for northern cod: 810,000 tonnes, up from 150,000 tonnes in the 1940s.
Canada extends its control over coastal waters to 370 kilometres (200 nautical miles) in 1977. A five-year respite in the offshore cod fishery results, as Canadian companies develop offshore trawlers.
In 1985, inshore fishermen voice concerns over declining cod catches.
In July 1992, the northern cod harvest is closed, putting 30,000 Newfoundlanders out of work. By the following year, all Canadian cod fishing is banned.
Ottawa allows a limited cod catch off Newfoundland's south coast in April 1997. That year, a replica of Cabot's Matthew prepares to cross the Atlantic for 500th anniversary celebrations.
Take 2: ‘Despite several years of moratoria, on May 27, 1998, the Fisheries Minister announces Atlantic Groundfish Management Measures for Gulf of St. Lawrence stocks after few signs of stock recovery despite several years of moratoria.
A five-year, $730-million program called the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Recovery Plan (CFAR) is launched in June 1998 to address the permanent downsizing of the Atlantic groundfish fishery.
In 1999, after slight improvements in some cod stocks are reported by the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council, limited, directed commercial fisheries are reopened with a take of 30,000 tonnes.
In 2000, the commercial fisheries take is lowered to 20,000 tonnes.
The take is lowered once again in 2001 to 15,000 tonnes.
In April 2002, a report to the Fisheries Minister reveals that groundfish stocks in the Gulf, including cod, have not shown any real signs of improvement.
In February 2003, scientists, fisheries managers, industry representatives, and national and international academics participate in a meeting to review the assessment of Atlantic cod stocks.
In March 2003, a report to the Minister of Fisheries indicates that the slight improvement of stock in the late 1990s has reversed.
On April 24th, 2003, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans announces the closure of the cod fisheries.