1. 1 Canadian Geography 1202 Fisheries – Chapter 8

2. 2 Fisheries (Chapter 8)  Renewable resources: Resources that are normally replaced or replenished through natural processes Resources that are normally replaced or replenished through natural processes E.g.: fisheries, forestry, agriculture, wind energy, etc. E.g.: fisheries, forestry, agriculture, wind energy, etc. Rose Blanche, Newfoundland Cod

3. 3 1. Introduction  Fish resources are a rich part of Canadian history, culture and economics Bonavista Harbour after Cod Moratorium Newfoundland Fishing Community

4. 4 Introduction  Since the 1980’s this renewable resource is being threatened by overfishing, pollution, and effects of climate change  This endangers the way of life and economy in these small communities

5. 5 Introduction  Canada’s fisheries have led to the development of hundreds of fishing communities present along the shores of the Atlantic and Pacific AtlanticPacific

6. 6 2. Marine Food Chain  Food Chain: A simple representation of the food relationships between various species within an ecosystem A simple representation of the food relationships between various species within an ecosystem Species are arranged from the simplest organism to the top carnivores Species are arranged from the simplest organism to the top carnivores Phytoplankton Zooplankton Capelin Herring Whale

7. 7 Marine Food Chain  Food Web: A complex representation of all the food relationships present in an ecosystem A complex representation of all the food relationships present in an ecosystem Contains a number of interconnecting food chains Contains a number of interconnecting food chains

8. 8 Marine Food Web  An example of a marine food web:  Can you identify a food chain from the food web?

9. 9 Marine Food Chain  Here’s a good example:  Salmon  Capelin  Zooplankton  Phytoplankton

10. 10 Marine Food Chain  Phytoplankton: A microscopic, single-celled plant organism that is the basis of the food chain A microscopic, single-celled plant organism that is the basis of the food chain They live in shallow seawater and eat decayed marine life They live in shallow seawater and eat decayed marine life

11. 11 Phytoplankton Blooms

12. 12 Phytoplankton Blooms

13. 13 Marine Food Chain  Zooplankton: A microscopic, single-celled animal organism that feeds on phytoplankton A microscopic, single-celled animal organism that feeds on phytoplankton They are a food for small fish like capelin They are a food for small fish like capelin

14. 14 Marine Food Chain  A good illustration. Refer to p.132-133, text Sun & Minerals Marine Life Dies & Decays Large Predators (Seals, Killer whales) Large Fish (Cod, Haddock) Small Fish & Crustaceans Small Fish & Crustaceans (Caplin, Shellfish) Phytoplankton Zooplankton (Plant) (Animal)

15. 15 3. Commercial Fish Habitats  Habitat: The environment or place in which an organism lives The environment or place in which an organism lives

16. 16 Commercial Fish Habitats  Continental Shelf: A landmass that is submerged under 200m or less of ocean water A landmass that is submerged under 200m or less of ocean water See Fig. 8.3 pg. 133 See Fig. 8.3 pg. 133

17. 17 Continental Shelf

18. 18 Continental Shelf

19. 19 Continental Shelves

20. 20 Commercial Fish Habitats  Fishing Bank : The water is less than 150m deep The water is less than 150m deep Light and heat of the sun penetrate the water, which helps small sea plants phytoplankton and zooplankton to grow Light and heat of the sun penetrate the water, which helps small sea plants phytoplankton and zooplankton to grow Fish are attracted to these areas because food is plentiful and they are great places to spawn Fish are attracted to these areas because food is plentiful and they are great places to spawn

21. 21 Commercial Fish Habitats  Atlantic fishing banks:

22. 22

23. 23 Commercial Fish Habitats  Trace the Atlantic fishing banks (Fig 8.4) on page 134  Use 3 separate colours for: Fishing banks Fishing banks Continental shelf Continental shelf Land Land  Find the 370 km fishing limit

24. 24 4. Atlantic Offshore Fishery A. Boats travel great distances from the shore (up to 370 km)  Remain at sea for 2 - 3 weeks before returning to home port  They are equipped with the latest technologies  They are long (20 to 50 m)  They have larger crews

25. 25 Atlantic Offshore Fishery A. Boats return to large harbours near fish processing plants  Many boats have their own fish processing equipment on board  They are owned and operated by large companies that catch, process and market the fish

26. 26 Atlantic Offshore Fishery B. 15% of fishers work in the offshore fishery C. Offshore fishing accounts for 90% of the total Atlantic catch D. Offshore boats are able to withstand the harsh ocean environment, therefore crews can work year-round E. Crews’ income is steady F. Major species caught: cod, herring, Atlantic salmon, scallops, lobster and crab

27. 27 Advantages of Working in Offshore  Fishers earn a good income  There is a steady amount of work  Modern boats are spacious and luxurious, containing TV’s, DVD players, Computer, etc.  Those onboard are able to choose a specialized task

28. 28 Disadvantages of Working in Offshore  Fishers have less independence because they are employees – They do not own or operate the boats they work on  They are away from their homes and families for long periods of time  They may not like working with certain crew members

29. 29 Atlantic Offshore Fishery G. Trawlers:  They are the main type of fishing technique used in Canada's Atlantic offshore fishing fleet  Harvest traditional groundfish species such as cod, haddock, flounder and hake Large Factory Trawler Trawler at Fort Amherst, NL

30. 30 Atlantic Offshore Fishery  Cone-shaped nets are towed along the ocean bottom, allowing only the smaller fish to escape

31. 31 Advantages of Trawlers  Catches are often enormous, with up to 2 hours towing the net, and yielding up to 100 tons of fish

32. 32 Disadvantages of Trawlers  Bottom trawling has already extinguished as many as 10,000 species worldwide  The heavy metal weights attached to nets crush everything in their path leaving scars for up to 4 km  They destroy ancient deep water coral systems, which provide food and shelter for fish Before After http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/MultimediaFiles/Live/Video/6768.mov

33. 33 Disadvantages of Trawlers  Only 16-72 % of the catch contains desired fish; the rest of the captured sea life (bycatch) suffocates and is thrown back overboard Discarded Bycatch

34. 34  Read Case Study: the Scotia Eagle (pg 138 – 139)  1. List characteristics that show you that Jimmy is working on an offshore boat.  2. List the advantages and disadvantages according to Jimmy.  3. Explain in detail how the otter trawler works.  4. How does the trawler net stay open vertically and horizontally?

35. 35  1. – size of the boat (47m) Boat can handle harsh environments Boat can handle harsh environments Boat fishes far offshore (225km) Boat fishes far offshore (225km) Uses a trawler net Uses a trawler net Processing equipment on board Processing equipment on board Fisher work year round Fisher work year round Higher and steady income Higher and steady income Large crews (18 people) Large crews (18 people) Latest technology – echo sounder and freezer Latest technology – echo sounder and freezer Long time at sea (couple of weeks at a time) Long time at sea (couple of weeks at a time)

36. 36  2. Advantages - Steady income - Higher income - Modern boat Disadvantages - Long time away from home/families - Not being able to work with father or keep up the family business

37. 37  3. - The net is set down with the weighted rollers (Ground bobbins) rolling along the ocean floor - Headline floaters hold the net open - Fish are scooped up and remain in the cod end as the net is brought up to the boat

38. 38  4. The net stays open horizontally because of the otterboards. The net stays open vertically because of the weight of the ground bobbins and the light weight of the headline floats allows them to float, therefore holding up the top of the net and keeping the entire net open.

39. 39 5. Atlantic Inshore Fishery A. Boats:  They are smaller than 20m in length  Fish close to shore, returning to the harbour before sunset  Crews are small, with only 3-5 people  Traditionally they are run by father and sons or brother

40. 40 Atlantic Inshore Fishery  80% of Atlantic fishermen were once employed in the inshore fishery  Inshore harvests include lobster, shrimp, redfish, and halibut  Very little technology used - maybe a depth finder

41. 41 Advantages of Inshore Fishery  Return to families on a regular basis – usually home most nights  Fishers have independence because they are self employed  They choose their own crew members – mainly family  Variety of tasks makes the work more interesting

42. 42 Disadvantages of Inshore Fishery  Generally fishers earn a low income, which can be irregular  Fishers often depend on government subsidies such as Employment Insurance  Quota levels are much lower compared to large boats  The number of working days is limited by weather

43. 43 Atlantic Inshore Fishery B. Lobster Fishing:  Lobsters are caught by inshore fishers using traps set on the ocean floor, either individually or in groups on a line  One or more funnel-shaped openings on the trap allow the lobster to enter the trap but prevent it from escaping  Most valuable seafood caught

44. 44 Atlantic Inshore Fishery  Traps are set in waters of varying depths, but usually near a rocky bottom, which lobsters prefer

45. 45

46. 46 Offshore and Inshore Fisheries  Create a chart that compares these two fisheries

47. 47 6. Collapse of the Cod Fishery  In the 1960’s, huge factory freezer trawlers started being used in the cod fishery  The number of the trawlers fishing the Atlantic increased as the demand for cod increased worldwide  Foreign fleets began fishing in the Atlantic (Russia, Japan, Korea, Poland)

48. 48 Collapse of the Cod Fishery  By 1970 over-fishing was becoming a serious problem – it was estimated that the Atlantic catch had risen to three times it’s traditional level  In 1977, Canada extended its fishing limit to 370 km – since it was only 22 km – and now had the right to control quotas, size, tonnage, seasons, and equipment within this limit

49. 49 Collapse of the Cod Fishery  Despite these efforts, it was clear by the mid 1980’s that the cod stocks were not rebounding to their traditional sizes  In 1994 the cod fishery had collapsed and an indefinite moratorium was put in place  This ended five centuries of economic activity that had supported thousands of people in Newfoundland – devastating entire communities whose life had been organized around the cod fishery

50. 50 Other Major Factors Leading to the Collapse Other Major Factors Leading to the Collapse  Quotas were too high and the size of the breeding stocks were over estimated  The use of trawler nets damaged plant and animal life, and therefore disrupted the food chain that supported the cod stocks

51. 51 Other Major Factors Leading to the Collapse Other Major Factors Leading to the Collapse  Changes in the flow of the Labrador Current may have caused the fish to migrate elsewhere  The growing number of seals may have further depleted an already depleted stock

52. 52 7. Pacific Fishery  A Day in the Life of a Pacific Fisher!!!

53. 53 Pacific Fishery Pacific Fishery  The Pacific commercial fishery is relatively young compared to that in Atlantic Canada

54. 54 Pacific Fishery  Salmon is the most important catch in the Pacific coast fishery and the most unique  Salmon accounts for almost half of the total value of the fish caught on the west coast

55. 55 Pacific Fishery  There are five varieties of salmon caught - chum, pink, chinook, coho and sockeye

56. 56 Pacific Fishery

57. 57 Pacific Fishery

58. 58 Life cycle of the Pacific salmon  See Fig 8.14 on pg. 146 and HANDOUT!

59. 59

60. 60 Pacific Fishery A. Gill Nets:  A net with a specific mesh size is used to ensnare fish of a specific matching size  Fish can swim part-way but not all the way through the net. When it tries to back out, it becomes snagged on its gill covers  Used on inshore salmon migration routes near the mouth of salmon-spawning streams

61. 61 Gill Net

62. 62 Pacific Fishery B. Purse Seines Nets:  A net with floats at the top and lead weights at the bottom  The purse line at the bottom of the net is then drawn in, closing it off and trapping the fish  The net encircles schools of fish at or near the surface.  Used on inshore salmon migration routes near the mouth of salmon-spawning streams

63. 63 Purse Seines Nets See Fig. 8.15 on pg. 147

64. 64 Pacific Fishery C. Troll Lines:  Trollers are small fishing vessels operated by one or two people  Fish are caught with a number of lines with baited hooks or artificial lures  It is the least efficient commercial fishing method in terms of intercepting fish  Troll-caught salmon are high quality

65. 65 Troll Lines

66. 66 8. Salmon Habitat under Attack  Salmon habitat – range from spawning beds in rivers to vast oceans

67. 67 Salmon Habitat under Attack A. Logging  Has the greatest impact on the salmon habitat because in B.C. 40% of all harvested logs are hauled up the Fraser River  Cutting forests on mountain slopes increases soil erosion which causes mud and silt to cover the gravel stream beds – destroying valuable spawning grounds

68. 68 Salmon Habitat under Attack B. Draining estuary wetlands  Draining and landfilling these marshes reduces the flow of the nutrients and food salmon require for growth

69. 69 Salmon Habitat under Attack C. Pollution  Herbicides and pesticides used for agriculture in the Fraser Valley enter water system  Organic wastes from sewage and meat packing plants, and pulp and saw mills decompose – reducing the amount of oxygen in the water – killing fish

70. 70 Salmon Habitat under Attack D. Dams  River dams obstruct salmon migration  Now – fish ladders used to allow salmon to return to their spawning grounds

71. 71 Salmon Habitat under Attack E. River Diversions  Water is diverted for industry and irrigation at the same time juvenile salmon migrate downstream  This results in low water levels and warmer water temperatures dooming salmon to an early death

72. 72  1. Describe the habitats required by the Pacific salmon during its life cycle.  2. What effect does logging, draining estuaries, and dams have on the salmon's life cycle?

73. 73 1.  Cool, nutrient and oxygen rich rivers and streams for egg incubation, salmon growth and clear stream routes for migration.  Estuaries that have mixture of salt and freshwater, with enough oxygen and nutrients  Clear saltwater with enough food sources

74. 74 2.Logging:  can bring soil (from erosion) into the streams – which harm spawning areas  Driving and storing logs can block migration routes to and from spawning grounds Draining Estuaries:  Removing water or filling these estuaries, it prevents adult salmon from migrating to spawning beds, and smolts can no longer adapt to salt water in the estuaries. Dams:  Block migrations routes up to spawning beds

75. 75 9. Crisis in the Salmon Fishery A. New technology has meant that commercial fleets can catch in hours what they used to take days to catch B. Deep sea drift nets “ghostnets” used to catch tuna and other large fish scoop up everything in their path including salmon

76. 76 Crisis in the Salmon Fishery C. Poor management of the resource has added to the problem of overfishing. The collapse of the Pacific Salmon Treaty in 1995 between Canada and the United States resulted in quotas being abused D. Global warming has contributed to the problem by increasing the ocean temperature – causing an explosion of mackerel populations, which feed on salmon

77. 77 Crisis in the Salmon Fishery E. Finally the number of sport fishers has increased – meaning more fish are being caught than ever before

78. 78 Crisis in the Salmon Fishery  Solutions to the Problem:  Reduction of the commercial salmon fishing fleet by 50%  Certain areas like the Fraser River would be shut down to hopefully replenish themselves

79. 79 10. Aquaculture  The raising of marine life in a controlled environment  As known as fish farming  Fish and other marine species are bred and raises fish in tanks, ponds and reservoirs

80. 80 Aquaculture  Fish are fed regularly and are safe from their natural enemies – thus maturing rapidly  Diseases and parasites outbreaks often occur because of high population densities found in the fish farms Sea lice, like the ones attached to these smolts, are a major problem in the salmon farming industry

81. 81 Aquaculture  Salmon, trout, mussels and oysters are good examples of farmed species  Aquaculture is considered a growth industry in Canada

82. 82 Aquaculture Case Study  1. It can produce large volumes of healthy mature fish in a short period of time.  Since overfishing is depleting natural stocks, aquaculture might be the only way to meet the growing demand for fish

83. 83  2. For more than 10 years Canada has experienced great success in aquaculture, and it is expected that we will continue to be successful in this industry  We have the resources to sustain this industry  3. Overfishing

84. 84  4. Canada is well suited because we have large areas with abundant amounts of freshwater for constructing reservoirs, ponds, tanks, ect.  5.Salmon is a high-priced fish, after they started farming fish it added $100 million/yr, and jobs were created.

85. 85  6. The sheltered bays and inlets make great breeding sites, the strong tides carry away fish waste and leftover food that would otherwise pollute, and there are ideal water temperatures  7. most of the ideal sites for raising salmon are already taken up by other fish farms, plus establishing a farm is expensive, and diseases and parasites

86. 86 11. The Freshwater Fishery  Canada has a major freshwater fishery with the Great Lakes being the central area  Canadian lakes contain over 180 different species – perch, pickerel, trout, and bass, and they employ over 9000 crew members and fish processing workers  Sport fishing is also a major economic activity for many communities

87. 87 The Freshwater Fishery Walleye Northern Pike Smallmouth Bass

88. 88 Devil’s Lake - Ontario

89. 89 Devil’s Lake - Ontario

90. 90 "Only after the last tree has been cut down, Only after the last river has been poisoned, Only after the last fish has been caught, Only then will you realize that money cannot be eaten" - Cree Proverb