Fish and seafood make a major contribution to Canada’s economy.
How much fish?
As of 2009, Canada’s commercial sea fisheries landed 925,000 tonnes. Freshwater landings came to 31,000 tonnes. All information below is based on 2009 figures.
What is the value?
Seafood is accorded landing value which can be defined as the price awarded to fish harvesters for their catch. Sea fishery landings were worth $1.6 billion, freshwater landings were $58 million. The wholesale value is approximately twice their value.
What species group leads in volume?
In 2009, shellfish (for example lobster, crab, shrimp, and scallops) led the way at 420,000 tonnes. Pelagic (for example herring, tuna, and salmon) followed with 284,000 tonnes. Groundfish (for example cod, haddock, hake, Pollock) came third at 204,000 tonnes.
What species group leads in value?
Shellfish brought in the biggest landed value of $1.3 billion in 2009. Lobster, crab, shrimp, and scallops are the titans of the shellfish sector. Groundfish followed at $237 million and pelagics at $127 million.
What regions catch what species?
All species have been written in order of highest to lowest:
| Region | Led in species | Led in value |
| Atlantic | Herring, shrimp, queen crab and scallop | Lobster, crab, shrimp, scallop and clams |
| Pacific | Hake, salmon, redfish species, herring and flatfishes | Crab, clams, halibut, salmon and redfish species |
| Freshwater | Pickerel, withefish and perch | Pickerel, whitefish and perch |
What provinces lead in sea-fishery value?
Nova Scotia held the largest landing value at $601 million, Newfoundland and Labrador had $444 million, British Columbia had $267 million, New Brunswick had $152 million and Quebec had $125 million.
(Source: Department of Fisheries and Oceans)