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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 2013, Nova Scotia landed over $ 840 million
dollars of seafood and marine products at our
wharves. This translated to over $ 1 billion
dollars in exports to markets across the world.
• 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. Atlantic Canada's
commercial fleets land more than 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, 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 fish
Mobile gear – towed behind a boat to actively
capture fish
Some specific types…
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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.