Norfish English Newfoundland Cod Fishery 1520-1790

An English presence was felt in the Newfoundland fisheries since around 1500, but on a minor scale. French, Spanish and Portuguese fishers established themselves in Newfoundland from this time and developed successful fisheries, but there is little evidence to suggest that the English fishers were especially engaged alongside their fellow Europeans. Since 1497 when John Cabot’s voyage to Newfoundland brought news that fish were so plentiful there that they could be caught by simply lowering baskets rather than having to even use lines.