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2002 Performance
Fish landings are expected to total 260,000 tonnes in 2002, an increase of about 5% from 2001. Similarly, landed value is expected to approach $500 million, a gain of approximately 4% from the previous year.
Major Species
Crab, shrimp and cod are the main species harvested, accounting for about 60% of landed volume and 80% of landed value. Crab and shrimp dominate the industry, with crab being the most important species overall in terms of value and shrimp in terms of volume.
Crab landings grew marginally in 2002 to 59,000 tonnes. The landed value is estimated at $230 million, representing an increase of almost 7% from 2001. Strong market prices have translated into higher landed values.
Shrimp landings (inshore and offshore) are expected to be 80,500 tonnes in 2002 (i.e., the quota will be filled), up from about 70,000 tonnes in 2001. This increase is largely due to increased fishing effort. Readers will recall that the fishery was closed for three months in 2001 (July to September) due to weak markets.
Cod landings in 2002 are expected to be on par with last year at approximately 20,000
tonnes. As market prices have been relatively unchanged, landed value ($30 million) will approximate last year’s level as well.
Other landings, encompassing 35 species such as flounder, turbot and herring, are expected to total 100,000
tonnes, on par with 2001. The landed value, however, should increase from $95 million to $117 million, largely the result of higher seal product prices.
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Three main
fish
species currently harvested
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| Source: Department of
Fisheries and Aquaculture |
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| Credit: Eric Walsh |
| Badger Bay Mussel Farm. |
Exports
The main market for the province’s fish exports continues to be the U.S. (57% of value in 2001), followed by China (10%) in a distant second. However, in 2001, over 60 countries imported some fish products from the province.
Aquaculture
Aquaculture activity continues to expand. Production is expected to approximate 7,000 tonnes this year, up almost 40% from 2001, and production value is expected to jump to $30 million from about $20 million last year.
Employment
From January to October 2002, industry employment averaged 17,300 compared to 15,400 for the same period in 2001. Reliance on the fishery, however, is higher than average employment measures would indicate. In 2001, for example, employment averaged 14,600 person years in fish harvesting and processing. However, data from various sources (e.g.,
taxfile data) indicate that over 30,000 persons have an attachment to the fishery. Clearly, more people rely on this industry for employment and income than standard labour market indicators would suggest.
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