Fisheries /Aquaculture
Commercial fishing remains an important industry in the Bay St. George/Port au Port area. As many as 38 different species are caught off this coastal area; the greatest variety are groundfish species, but also pelagic and shellfish species. Average annual landings of all species from 2000 to 2010 for all ports from Cape Ray to Fox Island River were 15,454 tons, providing an average annual value of $11,421,0001. Groundfish species such as halibut, Atlantic cod, plaice and flounder accounted for only 6% of landed weight and 11% of landed value. Pelagic species, mainly herring, mackerel and capelin accounted for 87% of landed weight and 31% of landed value. Crustaceans such as lobster, snow crab and shrimp accounted for only 7% of landed weight, but provided 57% of the landed value overall1. Other species such as sea scallop, halibut, Atlantic cod and lobster are harvested throughout Zone 9, and are important commercially. In 2007 there were 225 registered fishermen in this area, a number which has remained relatively stable since 2000.

In Zone 9, there are 12 harbour authorities that operate and maintain public fishing harbours. A fish processing plant is located in Piccadilly, the area is also seeing a growing interest for aquaculture development. Currently, there are two aquaculture sites in Piccadilly Bay, giant scallops and mussels; and a land-based eel operation in Robinsons.

Under development, and expected to start operations in Stephenville in the summer of 2011 is Northern Harvest Sea Farms Ltd., who will be running a salmon smolt hatchery at the site of the former Abitibi paper mill. Once operational, it is predicted that this hatchery will require 150 skilled workers, in order to produce the projected 4.5 million salmon smolt annually2.

To navigate this page move your mouse over the map to reveal the fishery or aquaculture industry activity in the community, and the company involved. To learn more on this industry browse through the ‘related links’ section below.

For more information on fish processing within the zone please review the Fisheries Database or Harbour Authorities.


Fisheries Related Links

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
  		•  Provincial Government’s fisheries website. This includes statistics, licensing information, directory and other resources on fishing within the province.
    Economic Impacts of the Cod Moratorium
  		•  Details of the 1992 cod moratorium, and its resulting effects on the province.
    Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  		•  Federal Government fisheries site. Includes information on; aquaculture, aquatic species, fisheries, the oceans and more.
    Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  		•  Federal Governments recent Atlantic Seal Management plan 2006-2010.
    Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  		•  Anglers guide for recreational fishing in Newfoundland and Labrador. Published by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
    Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
  		•  Provincial Government news release on Northern Harvest Sea Foods aquaculture site in Stephenville.


    1 DFO. Policy and Economics Branch. Preliminary Data. 2011.
    2 Fisheries and Aquaculture. (2010). Investment of $8 Million Supports Aquaculture Expansion. Retrieved from www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2010/fishaq/0827n04.htm
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