Life of a Long Islander (Newfoundland)

Based on a conversation with a local resident on the 6-minute ferry ride back from Long Island, Newfoundland (population of 169).

Yeah, I live on the island. I am a commercial fisherman, as is almost everyone else on the island. I caught my week’s quota of cod today (3000+ lbs) – some this big (arms outstretched), some this much (2ft) – if you had come with me, you could have taken some of them. I am now headed to Grand Falls for fishing Atlantic salmon tomorrow – we are allowed to keep 2 per year. No, I would never violate this – if I am caught, they will strip me of my license for 5 years - I love fishing way too much to risk have this happen.

I like life on the island – clear air and water, no traffic, little stress. I don’t make a ton of money but I make enough to not worry about bills. I was born on that cove that you see there, and my wife was born on this island.

I am allowed to go out fishing Saturday – Monday. What do I do on the days I am not fishing? Nothing, har har, I just relax!

There is no medical care on the island. For small stuff, we go to Grand Falls but for anything more serious, we have to go to St. John or Halifax. I have 2 kidney stones that have been bothering me for the past 8 weeks – yeah, it is painful but what can I do but just deal with it. I will eventually need to make a trip to Halifax to get them blasted out.

We see whales all the time – Minke whales and what we call padded whales. I am now looking out to see if I can sight one for you.

Both my children work and live in Manitoba where I spent a few years mining before I returned to the island.

The fishing season is short. Lobster in June and early July, then cod and mackerel in Aug-Sep.

If you are back in the area next Saturday, would be happy to take you guys along on my boat. I am the second house on the left.