Fisheries and Aquaculture
July 2, 2012

Provincial Government Marks 20th Anniversary of Northern Cod Moratorium

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, joined with His Honour, the Honourable John C. Crosbie, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as industry, union and community representatives today (Monday, July 2), to mark the 20-year anniversary of the northern cod moratorium.

The ceremony of reflection took place at East Block, Confederation Building. Minister King and His Honour were joined by industry leaders both past and present, including Earle McCurdy, President of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers, and Derek Butler of the Association of Seafood Producers.

“The fishery has been the backbone of the Newfoundland and Labrador economy for over 500 years,” said Minister King. “Undoubtedly, the cod fishery sustained, employed and defined much of the province for generations. In 1992, this reality changed abruptly. The northern cod moratorium shook the province to its core, not just economically, but socially and culturally as well.”

On July 2, 1992, the Federal Government announced the now long-standing northern cod moratorium after years of mass harvesting and foreign overfishing. Over 20,000 fish harvesters and plant workers were directly affected. Twenty years later, the northern cod stocks have not returned to pre-1992 levels and the moratorium remains in place.

“The people of this great province remained steadfast in the face of unbelievable change in 1992,” said Minister King. “Our resilience, strength and determination as a people endured. While we must not forget the many people whose lives changed, our survival through those very difficult times is historic in its own right. Since the moratorium, Newfoundland and Labrador has looked to other species of fish to sustain the industry. We have found new ways to keep our fishery strong and our people strong. Today, our fishing industry harvests half the number of fish, yet it provides twice the value.”

Shrimp and snow crab have replaced cod and flatfish as Newfoundland and Labrador’s major fisheries. Species such as turbot, herring, mackerel, surf clams and whelk also contribute to a new-found livelihood for many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

In 1989, the province landed approximately 350,000 tonnes of groundfish compared to 30,000 tonnes of shellfish. In 2011, it landed 31,500 tonnes of groundfish compared to over 170,000 tonnes of shellfish. Fish harvesters throughout the province harvest half as much resource, but its value is double.

“This shift has, by extension, enabled the province’s fishery to remain the economic backbone of many rural and coastal communities and a significant player in global seafood markets,” said Minister King. “Our dependence on the ocean will never change. Our ability to adapt will always be one of our greatest strengths. Newfoundland and Labrador is proud of its fishery – past, present and future.

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Media contact:

Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca

 

2012 07 02                              10:40 a.m.