It is not uncommon for people, places, and countries to change their names from time to time. However, the island of Newfoundland, which has over 8000 km of shoreline, has been known by more names than most. Newfoundland, a true island province, is the most easterly land in North America. Its capital, St. John’s, is 1000 km east of Halifax. The island was first seen by Norsemen in 987 A.D. They called it Vinland. French and Spanish seamen whaled in the waters off the island which, in the 1400s, was called The Land of Stockfish. Later in that century, the Portuguese seamen knew the island as Terra de Los Bachalaos, while Breton and Norman seamen knew it as Terre-Neuve. Bristol fishermen called it The Isle of Brasile, but they finally accepted the translation of the French name and called the island New Land. Finally, the island became known as Newfoundland and remains so to this day.
The banks off the coast of Newfoundland have the best fish pastures in
the world. Although a fish to a Newfoundlander is a codfish, there are
numerous other kinds of fish in abundance, both in the sea and in the inshore
waterways. These fish include salmon, mackerel, redfish, turbot, swordfish,
lobsters, mussels, shrimp, winkles, crab, clams, and of course, cod. Fish
used as bait include herring, capelin, and squid. Mammals which are also
taken are whales and seals.
Not only are the banks off the coast famous, but Newfoundlanders themselves are famous as skilful seamen and unparalleled fishermen. It is also a known fact that the people of Newfoundland, whose lives have never been easy, are friendly, accepting, and hard working. Although Newfoundland became part of the Dominion of Canada in 1949, the people did not copy the lifestyle of the rest of Canada. Of course, life in the city of St. John’s is much the same as life in any Canadian city, but it is quite different from life in the out ports along the coast where there has been little change over the years. The young people in the outports are very familiar with the sea, and from the time the boys are six or seven years old, they help their fathers jig for squid or cod. They may even have their own lobster pots and can certainly handle a dory. Their entertainment may include leaping from ice-floe to ice-floe. Such activities are generally not available to most Canadian youngsters.
Jigging for cod and squid is not as common today as it once was because big, powerful boats which work far out at sea have replaced the small, open dorys used for jigging and hand-lining. The riches of the sea are divided among so many people and companies that the individual fisherman can do little better than eke out a mere living. However, this does not stop him from loving his work.