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Lifelines: Canada's East Coast Fisheries

Possessions
The Material World of 
Newfoundland Fishing Families
 
Prologue
Possessions: 
The Material World of Newfoundland Fishing Families

In the small, scattered fishing communities of coastal Newfoundland and Labrador, families had to learn many skills in order to provide themselves with the goods they needed. Fishing generally provided only a limited cash income. As a result, fishing families typically built their own houses, stores, fishing stages, boats and furniture, and made quilts, mats and clothing - often from recycled materials.


 

Fishermen - 
Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador
Past

The large quantity of fish - especially cod - found in the waters off Newfoundland and Labrador provided income and established a way of life that lasted for centuries.

Fishermen Pulling Up Nets (ca. 1960)
(Courtesy: Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador)



 

Fishing Boat - 
Newfoundland Museum - Photograph: Allan Clarke
Present

With the advent of trawlers and draggers, catches increased dramatically. Overfishing resulted in a drastic decline in fish stocks and the virtual end of the inshore fishery. Today, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians look to divesify the fishery or to develop new industries in order to keep their communities alive. Many young people - who once would have become fishermen - are re-training and leaving their home to find work.

Fishing Boat for Sale (2000)
Photo: Allan Clarke
(Courtesy: Newfoundland Museum)



 

 
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