Norfish 14 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.

自约1500年起，英格兰便在纽芬兰渔场（Newfoundland fisheries）留下了活动踪迹，但规模有限。自同期起，法国、西班牙与葡萄牙渔民便在纽芬兰定居，并发展出了成熟的捕捞产业，但鲜有证据表明英格兰渔民曾与这些欧洲同行一同开展捕捞作业。早在1497年，约翰·卡伯特（John Cabot）远航纽芬兰后便传回消息称，当地鱼类资源极为丰饶，仅需下放篮筐即可捕捞，甚至无需使用钓线。