FISHERIES OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC 



Judge Prowse, the leading historical authority of New- 

 foundland says: "From contemporary records we can 

 state pretty accurately when the various nations began to 

 fish in Newfoundland. The English in 1498; the records 

 show their continuous operations from that date. The Por- 



EARLY COD FISHING METHODS. 



tuguese appear to have commenced the fishery in 1501. The 

 first account of the French is in 1504. ' ' 



The Portuguese fishermen followed immediately upon the 

 voyage of discovery made by Gaspar Cortereal in 1500, and 

 fishing companies were formed in Viana, Aveiro, and Ter- 

 ceira. Portugal, for the purpose of founding establishments 

 in Terra Nova, In 1506 the King of Portugal gave orders 



