There are several kinds of fishing prosecuted by the fishermen of Newfoundland, but the cod is the most profitable to the Colony, as the catch is usually worth between seven and eight million dollars a year. The fishing-grounds are not confined to the Grand Banks; they stretch from the south along the east and west coasts as far as Labrador. Of course, the waters within a certain distance from the shore are the exclusive property of Newfoundland so far as fishing in them is concerned; but Americans, Canadians, Frenchmen, and Newfoundlanders may cast their lines into the water on the Grand Banks. If you were to ask a scientist why these teeming millions of cod congregate in this part of the sea, he would tell you that the water is crowded with various species of jelly-fish, and these delicacies are the favourite food of the cod.
DRYING FISH ON THE “FISH FLAKES.”
As the cod-fishery is the staple industry of Newfoundland, and as it is both in extent of area and wealth of production the largest cod-fishery in the world, it is interesting to know something about it.
“Our knowledge of the habits of fishes,” says a writer on this subject, “is yet extremely limited. Naturally, we cannot follow them through the waters, and in consequence we know very little about them. We are, however, aware that the varied courses of the cod are due to two main causes—the capture of food and the variation of temperature:
“Scientific investigation has shown us that the great ocean river, known as the ‘Labrador Current,’ which sweeps past the east coast of Newfoundland (the most valuable of our fishing-grounds), is one vast moving mass of fish food, full of minute crustaceans and animalculæ, which afford abundant nourishment for seals, whales, and fish of all kinds. The surrounding, with its ever-abundant supply of bait—fishes, caplin, squid, and herring—and its suitable temperature, therefore affords an ideal home for the cod.
“The stability and regularity about the incoming of the cod, and the consequent permanent character of this great fishery, proved by the experience of our centuries, without one single failure, is very marked when we compare it with its rival industry, the herring fishery. Herrings, for causes unknown, left the coasts of Norway for one hundred years. Nearer Newfoundland, the great Labrador herring fishery is now practically extinct.
“With respect to the movement of the cod there are two opinions, some maintaining that the fish remain in each bay, only in winter they retire to deeper water. This fact is proved by their capture in those localities in deep water; but the other view, that there are two large and extensive movements, is also clearly shown by various facts, the capture of cod on our coasts with French hooks attached to them proving that these fish have come in from Grand Bank district over many miles; also the everyday occurrence of the cod and caplin being taken along the Labrador coast later and later as the fishermen proceed north, until near Cape Chidley the voyage is limited to a few weeks’ duration.
“Next to the stability of this great fishery we may note the commercial value of the cod. Different from oily fishes, like the salmon and herring, its flesh is rich and gelatinous, without being fatty, and readily lends itself to a simple and efficient cure by salting and drying in the sun. The cured product is found to be the best of all the deep-sea fishes for use in tropical countries, and has never had a rival. It was imported into Spain and the Mediterranean countries as a staple article of commerce centuries before the discovery of America.
“We may add to this comment the remarkable effect of this great fishery on the making of England. It was the cod that first drew Englishmen from the narrow seas, and laid the foundation of her greatness as a maritime power.