Know About the Fishing Industry in Canada

Canada has one of the healthiest fishing industries in the world. Its freshwater fishing is thriving and has remained in a great state for many years. Whether it is commercial fishing and processing or recreational fishing, Canada has plenty to offer.

Canada's fishing resources and industry
Although Canada's fishing industry contributes much to its economy, it wasn't always so. Although efforts during the 1860s and onward were well-placed, results weren't always up to par. That is, until the fishing industry began to boom from the early 1900s to the present, overcoming economic hurdles such as the Depression. Using both technology and scientific research, fishing practices and production were greatly improved.

Canada has the longest coastline in the world and owns the largest economic zone offshore, equivalent to nearly 4 million sq. km. Its freshwater system is also the largest in the world, encompassing about 2 million rivers and lakes, totaling over 755,000 sq. km.

Currently, it is Manitoba's fishing industry that produces about 25% of the freshwater fish in Canada. There are about 13 species of fish that are being harvested commercially, including lake trout, northern pike, whitefish and yellow perch.

As proof of its efficiency, the fishing industry in Canada produced over 1 million tons of commercial fish in 2005, valued at about $2 billion. Its aquaculture production in the same year yielded over 150,000 tons, valued at over $700 million.

Businesses belonging to Canada's fishing industry number about 11,000. It includes aquaculture, fish processing, ocean services, engineering and hydrography, among others. Coastal tourism is also a thriving industry. The coastal areas of Canada are home to about 7 million people engaged in tourism and fishing as a source of income. Currently, over 20,000 fishing vessels are registered and involved actively in the fishing industry.

Recreational fishing
Canada's robust fishing industry isn't limited to commercial ventures. There are about 3 million people who engage in recreational fishing in Canada, making the sport one of the country's national pastimes.

The DFO
The fishing industry in Canada is managed and protected by the Department of Fisheries. It is responsible for the health, safety and productivity of Canada's water and aquatic resources. It is the government agency that sets and implements standards for the development and sustainability of Canada's fishing industry by providing facilities for safeguarding, conservation and research.

To protect its marine environment, Canada employs the Coast Guard which offers assistance to thousands of small commercial and recreational fishing vessels in case of emergencies. The Canadian Coast Guard is also responsible for educating boaters and fishermen about Boating Safety regulations. It also assists in hydrographic missions, scientific surveys, rescues and in the implementation of environmental pollution regulations.

Fishing Gear – Sonar Units Sound Off

Before you can have much of a chance of landing fish you have to find them. Fishermen have developed a whole range of techniques to do that, some of which amount virtually to voodoo. But a little science can be a big help, even to the most artistic of fishermen. Sonar units are one great way to even the odds.

The basic principle of sonar is simplicity itself: send out a series of sound wave pulses. The waves bounce off objects in the water and echo back, somewhat like a shout in a canyon. But, naturally, the details are more complicated.

At first blush it might seem that they find too much. How do you distinguish a fish from a rock 50 feet under the water? You don't have to, the sonar unit does it for you. With specially tuned electronics and color coding a good sonar unit makes it a snap to distinguish different objects. Sound waves bounce off fish differently than they do off rocks.

Sonar units can locate a variety of things under the water, though, not just fish. Underwater sandbars and jetties, rocks and other obstructions can interfere with or damage your boat. They can be spotted easily, too. That makes navigation a snap, which can be especially important near the shore or along many rivers.

A good sonar unit will readily penetrate deep waters and create sharp images. A depth of 125 feet/38 meters should be nothing for even a modest-cost unit. Some will penetrate as deep as 900 feet/275 meters and still send back highly useful information. That's a big plus for fishing those really deep inland lakes or for deep-sea saltwater fishing.

Contemporary designs have come a long way from their ancestors of WWII. Many now sport 256 colors, screens several inches across and an amazing level of detail. Some models will allow three simultaneous views - side, front and back. For navigating through tricky waters that's a big plus. It also helps avoid losing track of the fish as you wind your way through a passageway full of underwater features.

Keep in mind that sonar units are most valuable when the boat is moving. That means the scenery underneath is changing and the unit has to be able to keep up. Fast refresh is a must. At the same time, the images can't get mushy or the detail will be lost. A good sonar unit will solve those problems handily.

Many have extra features that make the units that much more valuable.

Some have integrated GPS, a great addition for those in unfamiliar territory, out on open waters, or who just want to be able to find the exact spot they succeeded in last summer. With that feature often comes the ability to download maps of a specific area. That provides even more information about the conditions in a particular place. Some units make it possible to upload or print the sonar maps they create. That can be useful for those who want to study the underwater environment a little more at leisure.

Check out the latest sonar units and give your angling art a little boost from science.