A Legacy of Fishing in Pubnico

Learn about the legacy of fishing in Pubnico including history, imagery and much more.

The first industrial fishery in Pubnico was that of cod. The 1860s were the most prosperous years for cod, a direct result of the Treaty of Reciprocity of 1854 between the United States and Canada, granting fishermen the right to liquidate their catches in the United States without having to pay any duty. Pubnico, like much of Nova Scotia, profited greatly during this time.

Today one cannot think of Pubnico without lobsters. Despite its current popularity, this was not always so. Records show that during the height of the cod fisheries, lobster was

The move towards mechanization

Where once fishermen went out and hauled their catch on sail powered ships, gradually as new technologies set in, processes changed. Sails were replaced by coal powered steam trawlers starting in the 1870s. Hulls, once made of wood, began to be made out of steel. By 1915, diesel trawlers were increasingly larger and faster. By 1947, trawlers were introduced with built-in refrigerators to store increasingly large catches. Today’s fishing boats make ample use of advanced electronics to consistently navigate the sea at its worst.

A Fisherman’s Life

Fishing has changed a lot in Pubnico. Lobster fishing, though prominent, is still only one of the many resources being fished. Pubnico fishermen also seek out scallops, swordfish, halibut, herring, mackerel, smelt, and eel.
For more information, come see the exhibition, A Fisherman’s Life, at the Musée des Acadiens des Pubnicos.

Bailer

A bucket or scoop for drawing water and removing it from a boat.

Bobber

A light object attached to a fishing line that floats on the surface of the water to keep the bait at a desired depth. In the past these glass bobbers were frequently used in angling, netting and trawling.

Deadeye

A rounded block of wood pierced by three holes that has a groove around its edge. Deadeyes are usually used in pairs to tighten stays or shrouds on sailing vessels.

Engine

An early marine inboard engine, also known as a “one-lunger” or a “make & break” engine. It was made by Acadia Gas Engines, Ltd., Bridgewater, NS. It is an 8hp, 2-cylinder design.

Heart

A wooden block shaped like a heart through which the lanyards of the stays are roved.

Nozzle

A circular ring measuring 5 to 10 inches. Originally made of wood, it was used to hold the mesh net open, allowing lobsters to enter but preventing their escape.

Lobster Measure

An instrument used to measure a lobster to ensure it is of legal size.

Squid Jig

A small hook set up for angling. Squid jigs consist of a painted runner of lead that acts as a lure, furnished at its tip with a crown of fine hooks. It is made to attract a fish’s attention through its jerking motion in the water.A small hook set up for angling. Squid jigs consist of a painted runner of lead that acts as a lure, furnished at its tip with a crown of fine hooks. It is made to attract a fish’s attention through its jerking motion in the water.