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1497: John Cabot
cruises the Newfoundland coast and finds cod in abundance.
Early 1500s:
French, English, Portuguese, Spanish and Basque fishermen begin
fishing the waters off Newfoundland.
1583:
Sir Humphrey Gilbert claims Neewfoundland in the name
of Elizabeth I. French crews in the area object.
1585:
Bernard Drake destroys Spain's Newfoundland fishing fleet
(and three years later helps defeat the Armada). England gains
control of the Avalon Peninsula fisheries.
1610: John Guy
establishes the first English settlement in Canada at Cupers
Cove (later Cupids), Nfld. The island's residents will resist
attempts throughout the century by fishermen and traders based
in England to restrict residential occupancy and control of the
cod fishery.
1700s: Newfoundland cod fishing is increasingly controlled
by resident fishers.
1804-1884: Newfoundland's population increases tenfold,
to 200,000.
1817:
For the first time, a Newfoundland governor, Vice-Admiral
Francis Pickmore, plans to winter on the island, but dies in
February. In 1824, Newfoundland's status changes from British
fishing station to crown colony. The first legislative elections
are held iin 1832.
1968: The northern
cod catch peaks at 810,000 tonnes, up from 150,000 in the 1940s.
1977:
Canada extends control over coastal waters from 12 to
200 nautical miles. A five-year respite in the offshore cod fishery
occurs, until Canadian companies develop offshore trawlers.
1985:
Inshore fishers voice concerns over declining cod catches.
July 1992: The
northern cod harvest is closed, putting 30,000 Newfoundlanders
out of work. By the following year, all Canadian cod fishing
is banned.
April 1997: Ottawa allows a limited cod catch off Newfoundland's
south coast. A replica of Cabot's Matthew prepares to
cross the Atlantic for the 500th anniversary celebrations.
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