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Fishing has always been a prominent part of New Brunswick's culture and economy. The native Micmacs and Maliseets often used fish as their primary income. They would set weirs (like modern day fishing nets) and spear salmon along freshwater streams and in open waters along the Bay of Fundy. They would usually smoke their catches to preserve them for winter. In the 1850's they often caught unwanted baby herring and would turn them into fertilizer. In the Northumberland Straight and Bay of Fundy, fishermen often fish for lobster and snow crab which are the most valuable catches. Overfishing in past years had drastically reduced the number of lobster and commercial salmon so fishing was temporarily banned in the 1970's. Atlantic Silver Salmon, Bass, Landlocked (freshwater) Salmon, Trout, Herring and Sardines are also known to live in the waters in and around New Brunswick. Many jobs in manufacturing come from fishing as well as New Brunswick's aquaculture.
Fishing is New Brunswick's fourth largest industry and one of it's most infamous. There have been many conflicts over the Atlantic Salmon, Crab and Lobster that live off the coast of New Brunswick. Many people fish for sport in New Brunswick but sport fishing has little economic value. Commercial fishing produces about $560 million in exports every year, and lobster accounts for 50% of the landed value. The three main ways of fish harvest are through trapping, fish farming and commercial fishing (with nets). Once caught, the fish are either frozen, canned, salted or smoked. This is done in the 148 processing facilities located around the New Brunswick coast. Although fish stocks have been decreasing around the world, through New Brunswick's many on-going conservation efforts the stocks around this province have been less hard-hit than most areas over the past 15 years.
Brian Bartibogue, a native who is a commercial lobster fisherman, is angry and discouraged because the government is seizing his traps after giving him the right to fish. Many native traps were cut when they were allowed to fish after the season had ended. There was a big confrontation between natives and non-natives over the issue, and it escalated to violence. Many people are worried about stock levels if the natives are allowed to continue fishing after the season has ended.
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