Is fisheries diversification a sustainable strategy?: the case of the Newfoundland redfish fishery

Goetting, Kathryn (2008) Is fisheries diversification a sustainable strategy?: the case of the Newfoundland redfish fishery. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Canada's tenth province, Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). was built around marine resources. It began over 500 years ago, when Europeans came to discover new lands. Diversification into new species occurred over centuries due to changes in markets, technology, and resource abundance. The redfish (Sebastes species) fishery in NL has evolved and changed over time due to foreign participation, confederation with Canada, increased life history knowledge, and declining stocks. In 1992, when the cod moratorium occurred, there was a push to exploit other species, redfish being a primary contender. -- In this paper, I examine the history of the northwest Atlantic redfish fishery from a diversification viewpoint. By analyzing the literature regarding all aspects of the redfish fishery, I examine the diversification potential of the species in the mid-1990s, and determine if redfish can help ease the burden of the fisheries crisis. I find that the mismanagement of the fishery and the biological characteristics of redfish combine to put the resource in a vulnerable state from which it has yet to recover. It is therefore unsuitable for increased exploitation. This conclusion is supported by an examination of the experience with diversification in the community of Gaultois.

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