APPENDIX IV APPENDIX IV 
fluctuations. For example, Canadian groundfish prices 
declined in 1973 because of market conditions in the United 
States. Between 1969 and 1974 the Canadian groundfish in- 
dustry has: lost a large portion of the U.S. market. Sales 
of groundfish blocks declined from 33 percent to 12 percent 
of the U.S. market and sales of groundfish fillets declined 
from 74 percent to 48 percent. 
ECONOMIC ROLE OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY 
The Canadian fishing industry provides job opportunities 
in regions which offer little alternative employment and is 
a valuable source of foreign exchange. It also provides a 
source of protein to Canadian consumers. 
The industry contributes less than 1 percent to 
Canada's total employment but is extremely important in 
certain communities. About 75 percent of the communities 
in Atlantic coast provinces engage in commercial fishing 
and, of these communities, some 20 percent have no other 
economic base. To a lesser extent, many isolated communities 
on the Pacific coast depend on fishing and fish-related in- 
dustries. 
Fish exports generally have increased faster than im- 
ports since 1964 contributing to a growing balance of trade 
surplus for fish products. In 1973 exports exceeded imports 
bye 15:38 1s./Sp ima Dailsarone. 
Canada, like the United States, relies mostly on non- 
fish products for its protein supply. Seafood consumption 
represents about 5 percent of the combined meat and poultry 
consumption. 
GOVERNMENT ROLE IN FISHERIES 
Over the past few years, the Canadian Government has 
taken a more active role in managing the fishing industry. 
The Canadian Federal Government has legislative jurisdiction 
over its fisheries. The Government has been and will con- 
tinue to be involved in all aspects of industry operations, 
such as controlling the harvest, restructuring the fleet 
and processing plants, and planning for the management of 
an extended fisheries zone under Canadian jurisdiction. 
Policy aims 
In 1975 the Minister of State for Fisheries presented 
to the Government an overall plan for managing and developing 
fisheries. The plan has now been adopted as Government 
policy and has become a guide for rebuilding Canada's com- 
mercial fisheries over the next 10 years. 
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