At a Glance
In 1997, the province’s fish export value was approximately $575
million, and is projected to surpass $600 million in 1998.
At its peak in 1997, the industry
employed 20,800: 10,300 fish harvesters and 10,500 in the processing sector.
For only the second time in our history, our
fishing industry had a landed value of $300 million in 1997. Total landings exceeded
200,000 metric tonnes for the first time since 1993. Now that’s a lot of fish!
More than forty species of fish are commercially
harvested from Newfoundland and Labrador’s waters!
Shellfish, not groundfish, now dominate the
industry. Since 1988, landings of valuable shellfish (primarily crab and shrimp) have more
than tripled.
The value of the new inshore northern shrimp is
expected to reach $100 million in 1998.
Inshore vessels took part in the northern shrimp
for the first time in 1997, and landed an estimated 6,000 metric tonnes worth $8.6
million. Landings could reach approximately 30,000 tonnes in 1998, with a landed value of
approximately $50 million.
In 1997, 11,000 tonnes if Icelandic scallops were
landed, making Newfoundland and Labrador the world’s leading producer.
The revitalized seal industry provides income for
about 3,000 sealers and several hundred plant workers, and has an export value of $20
million. |
 |
Take a look at what
we’re doing. |
 QUALITY ASSURANCE INITIATIVES
FISH PRICE TASK FORCE
REPORT
 THE NEW FISHERY...
DIVERSE AND DYNAMIC
 FISHERIES
DEVELOPMENT (Harvesting, Processing and
Marketing) (Harvesting, Processing and
Marketing) (Harvesting, Processing and
Marketing)
 SOME EXAMPLES OF SUCCESS: (New Crab Species Development)
 INSHORE
NORTHERN SHRIMP HARVEST
 SEAL
INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
 SEA URCHINS
 SIGNIFICANT
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
 WHELK
 SEAWEED
 MALE
CAPELIN, CRAB AND SHRIMP BY-PRODUCTS
 THE NEW
LICENCING
POLICIES
 PROFESSIONAL FISH
HARVESTERS' CERTIFICATION BOARD
(The First Province to Recognize Fishing
as a Profession!)
 AQUACULTURE
 LOOK AT WHAT'S
PRODUCED RIGHT HERE IN NEWFOUNDLAND
AND LABRADOR
 SOME
SPECIES HARVESTED
SOME
SECONDARY PRODUCTS
FISH
FACTS! DID YOU KNOW...?
AQUACULTURE
FACTS
Despite economic diversification, the fishing industry of Newfoundland and Labrador
continues to be one of the primary contributors to our province’s economy. In fact,
our fishing industry is growing! The fishery is evolving as a more viable and stable
industry, and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture is a leader in making that
happen! Efforts are focussed on quality assurance, fisheries development, aquaculture,
market promotion, new product development, and new market opportunities.
QUALITY
ASSURANCE INITIATIVES |
 |
Newfoundland and
Labrador’s fishing industry is focussed on building the province’s reputation
for high quality seafood products in work markets. Emphasis is on promoting quality
assurance practices in the industry-which means ensuring that fish is properly harvested,
transported, and processed. |
| In consultation
with industry, the Department has implemented quality assurance measures to ensure that
producing top-quality fish products is a priority form the time seafood is harvested, to
the time it is ready for the consumer’s table. These initiatives are enforced by fisheries inspectors
through regular inspections around the province to secure our competitive position in the
global marketplace. |
FISH PRICE TASK
FORCE REPORT |
| A Task Force, appointed in 1997,
investigated problems associated with fish price negotiations, quality, and marketing.
They made several recommendations including changing the present collective bargaining
system to a pricing structure that recognizes and rewards high quality. This change would
also lessen the delays in opening various fisheries. A fish auction system and a
price-to-market formula were suggested. Pilot projects are underway in 1998 to evaluate
the recommendations as a means to further strengthen the fishing industry. To date, these
projects have met with very positive results. |
|
THE NEW
FISHERY... DIVERSE AND DYNAMIC |
| The world seafood market is changing and
the Newfoundland and Labrador fishing industry is changing to meet the new demands! The
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture is working closely with the fishing industry to
diversify and utilize other species, creating new opportunities! |
|
FISHERIES
DEVELOPMENT
Harvesting, Processing and Marketing |
| The Department directs its efforts on
diversifying the fishing industry and is encouraging harvesters and processors to take
advantage of other species. Research and development efforts are continuing in harvesting,
processing and marketing these resources. Information is made available to industry on a
variety of new resource opportunities including "new" crab species, shrimp, sea
urchin, seaweed, whelk, seals, and sea cucumber, as well as on by-products, and
value-added processing. Projects involve research and experimentation with new harvesting
and processing techniques, and refinement of traditional methods. These initiatives will
increase the value of fish exports and will also contribute to increased employment in the
industry. |
| The Department assists processors in
applying research and new production technology to process these developing species, and
to market fish products. Market research, development, and promotion, marketing seminars,
and trade missions are critical to increase seafood exports, to meet market expectations,
and to compete with our competitors in global markets. |
|
|
Some
Examples of Success
New Crab Species Development |
 |
The traditional snow crab
fishery has been the cornerstone of the industry since the groundfish moratoria. In 1998,
the export value of this resource will exceed $200 million. |
| Over
the past several years the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture has actively promoted
the development of new crab species such as Atlantic king crab, red Atlantic crab, toad
crab, and rock crab. The latter two species in particular are becoming a new source of
income for many small boat harvesters in certain areas of the province. The processing sector has responded to these new
opportunities by investing in new processing capacity and by identifying new market
opportunities. |
|
Inshore
Northern Shrimp Harvest |
 |
Approximately 85 inshore
vessels participated in the northern shrimp harvest in 1997, most of which has formerly
depended on groundfish. With the increased quota in 1998, the number of licences is
expected to rise to 200. The department, in conjunction with industry, actively promoted
an inshore vessel presence in this fishery. |
| The private
sector has shown its confidence in this fishery, and has invested more than $50 million in
plant expansions or conversions to take advantage of this new opportunity. We are continuing developmental work on inshore shrimp
harvesting using beam trawls and shrimp pots around the province. A comprehensive
exploratory fishery is also in progress. This initiative is primarily concentrated on the
small vessel sector with beam trawl trials having met with promising results to date. |
|
Seal Industry
Development |
| New products such as Omega-3 seal oil
capsules, sausages, salami and pepperoni are now being produced as a result of
considerable research and development, and reflect a well-defined full utilization
strategy for the industry. |
| In 1998, the industry experienced
further expansion as approximately 280,000 animals were harvested. In response to this
growth, industry has also invested in the latest tanning technology producing
top-of-the-line tanned seal skins. |
|
|
 |
Sea urchins roe, or uni, is
a kind of Japanese caviar which can fetch harvesters a good price. Sea urchins are
harvested commercially by diving in shallow water.
Most activity occurs on the northeast coast,
but activity is expanding to other areas. In 1998 for example, the plant in Red Bay,
Labrador is processing sea urchins - the first time the plant has operated in seven years! |
| In 1997-98, the
province’s sea urchin industry employed approximately 150 to 200 harvesters, and 200
plant workers to process the roe. |
|
SIGNIFICANT
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES |
| Much developmental work has been done on
other under-utilized species such as whelk, male capelin, seaweed, sea cucumbers, and
by-products from such species as crab and shrimp. These initiatives are still in the
developmental stage, and offer further development opportunities. |
|
| A large resource of whelk (also known as
sea snails) is found in areas such as the Great Northern Peninsula and in the Strait of
Belle Isle where considerable activity occurred in 1997. |
| An exploratory fishery was carried out
on whelk in the Conception Bay areas to improve the catch rates by experimenting with
various types of pots. The Department is providing whelk pots to harvesters for more
exploratory work. |
| New processing equipment has been
introduced into the industry. Market development work is also being undertaken in
conjunction with industry. |
|
|
| Traditionally used for animal feed and
fertilizer in Newfoundland and Labrador, seaweed has pharmaceutical, and cosmetic
applications. |
| In 1997, exploratory work was completed
in the Bay of Islands, along the South Coast, and on the southern Avalon Peninsula to
identify and quantify the seaweed resource in those areas. The test samples of various
products have been well-received. Further exploratory work is being done in other areas
such as the Labrador Straits. |
| Plants in Ramea and Isle aux Morts are
processing and selling seaweed products. |
|
|
Male
Capelin, Crab and Shrimp By-products |
| The Department is working with several
processors to develop new products from by-products and fish offal, namely male capelin,
crab, and shrimp. These include chitosan from shellfish waste for use in pharmaceutical
and health applications, pet treats from male capelin, and aquaculture feeds for local
fish farms. |
| To encourage full utilization of male
capelin, there is a licencing requirement prohibiting any dumping of this species. |
|
|
THE NEW
LICENCING POLICIES |
| In 1997, the Department of Fisheries and
Aquaculture, through consultation with the fishing industry, reviewed and revised its
processing licencing policies. |
| The new licencing policies will promote
a privately financed fish processing sector which is stable and competitive in the world
market. The policy focuses on a core of approximately 70 plants which now have greater
flexibility to process a variety of species, thus enhancing their prospects for long-term
viability. These multi-species facilities will ensure a regional balance in processing and
employment opportunities throughout the province. Non-core plants will also continue to
play an important role in the industry. |
|
|
PROFESSIONAL
FISH HARVESTERS’ CERTIFICATION BOARD
The First Province to Recognize Fishing as a Profession! |
| Newfoundland and Labrador became the
first province in Canada to recognize fishing as a profession. The Department and the
harvesting sector collaborated to establish the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification
Board in 1997 through the enactment of special legislation in this area. |
| Under this legislation, the Board sets
qualifying standards and recognizes the skills and practical experience required to become
a Professional Fish Harvester. They bestowed professional status on fish harvesters with a
long-term attachment to the fishing industry, through a grandfathering process. The
certification process is now made up of three different levels: Apprentice, Level 1, and
Level 2. |
| The Board has currently registered and
certified approximately 16,000 fish harvesters in the province, including approximately
9,500 fish harvesters certified with Level 2. |
|
|
 |
Aquaculture is expanding
rapidly in Newfoundland and Labrador! Blue mussels, steelhead trout, and Atlantic salmon
have been produced commercially for the past 10 years. The Department has played a key
role in this industry’s development. |
| The Department
is responsible for aquaculture licences, and provides a one-stop service for all
provincial and federal licences and permits needed to conduct aquaculture in the province.
DFA also provides many extension services including veterinary services, engineering
services, research and development information, technology transfer services, and
technical advice and assistance. The future of the aquaculture industry is very positive as its potential is
beginning to be realized. Several farmed species such as steelhead trout, Atlantic salmon,
and blue mussels have become commercially viable. Management plans are being developed to
allow orderly development that recognizes the rights of aquaculturists and other water
resource users. Research continues on mussels, scallops, codfish, witch flounder, and live
feed enrichment for "start feeding" of halibut larvae. There is an increasing
interest in halibut farming in the province as the world demand for this premium product
is high and the wild supply is low. Interest in cod farming is also increasing.
The Department is currently working with
the Newfoundland Salmonid Growers Association (NAGA) to develop, and evaluate a strain of
salmonid brood stock (eggs) for commercialization in Bay d’Espoir.
Construction of new aquaculture
facilities in Newfoundland and Labrador include a new Arctic char facility in Daniels
Harbour, a new teaching at the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland,
and the Aquaculture Research Facility at Memorial University’s Ocean Sciences Centre
in Logy Bay, near St. John’s. The latter two have been funded under the Aquaculture
Component of the Canada/Newfoundland Economic Renewal Agreement (ACERA). These projects
incorporate the latest technology and are critical to the industry’s expansion. |
|
LOOK AT WHAT'S PRODUCED RIGHT HERE IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR |
| Crab |
Herring |
Eels |
Sea urchin |
| Shrimp |
Cod |
Redfish |
Steelhead trout |
| Lobster |
Halibut |
Hake |
Flounder |
| Mussels |
Skate |
Turbot |
Lumpfish |
| Scallops |
Seaweed |
Capelin |
Atlantic salmon |
| Squid |
Whelk |
Mackerel |
|
|
| Seafood entrees |
|
Seafood quiches |
| Fish cakes |
|
Fish and brewis |
| Breaded fish products |
|
Artificial crab |
| Seafood au gratins |
|
Surimi-based crab products |
| Seafood crepes |
|
Marinated herring |
| Mussel Salad |
|
Shrimp cocktail, shrimp in
seafood sauce |
| Seal products such as prime
meat cuts, sausages, salami, and pepperoni; seal oil capsules; and seal fur and leather
products |
|
Smoked salmon,
kippers, herring, and mussels |
 |
|
Department of Fisheries
and Aquaculture
R. John Efford, Minister
Telephone:(709) 729-3723
Facsimile: (709) 729-6082
For more information, contact:
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
30 Strawberry Marsh Road
P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s,
Newfoundland A1B 4J6 |
|
Fish Facts!
Did you know...?
...Seaweed can be found in: dried food, health-food, toothpaste, lotions,
inks and dyes, high-quality paper, welding rods, and in food products such as ketchup,
mayonnaise, and other sauces, soups, chocolate milk, and ice cream.
...Seaweed can be found in: dried food, health-food, toothpaste, lotions,
inks and dyes, high-quality paper, welding rods, and in food products such as ketchup,
mayonnaise, and other sauces, soups, chocolate milk, and ice cream.
...Crab also has many industrial applications? Substances such
as chitin and chitosan, extracted from crab shells, have enormous potential in the
pharmaceutical industry and for waste water treatment.
...Shrimp changes their sex from male to female mid-way through
their life cycle.
...The blood of wolffish can be used in the transportation of
organs to preserve them for transplant.
...Fish skins, especially eel, cod, and wolffish, are valuable
as leather in the fashion industry. |
