Introduction
The evolution of sustainable practices in the Maritimes goes beyond economic concerns and makes it a popular destination for coastal tourists. For instance, in the Caribbean, the amalgamation of people, goods, ideas, and practices led to the growth of local communities.[1] The Maritime’s evolution shows that being mindful of the environment when fishing and consuming seafood can shape tourism. So, a connection exists between sustainable seafood practices and the successful growth of the tourism industry in such regions.
The heritage of the Maritimes dates back to the early years of Confederation. “The Atlantic Provinces in Confederation” offers a perspective of Atlantic Canada from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec, which formed the Dominion in 1867.[2] The Maritimers’ symbiotic relationship with the water became a fundamental part of their identity as European settlers exploited the seemingly endless aquatic resources. The indigenous fishing methods created the groundwork for the colonization of the culture of the Natives. The abundance of the Atlantic, formerly considered a never-ending food supply, drove the region’s economy and created a cultural bond that still exists today.
The modern period has a greater emphasis on environmental sustainability, with the central topic being sustainable seafood practices and their impact on tourism. The intensity of sea malpractices is reduced due to a shared understanding of the limited availability of marine resources. The Maritimes’ socioeconomic environment transformed entirely due to the shift from small-scale, locally focused fishing activities to large-scale commercial companies. The prospect of financial gain and progress attracted capitalist interests, bringing about a sea change that paved the way for sustainability to become a pressing issue. For instance, La Vía Campesina was formed in 1993 and has since fought to dismantle transnational agribusiness companies and neoliberal capitalist approaches by the World Trade Organization (WTO’s) Agreement on Agriculture.[3]
Karen Foster analyses neoliberalism and reactions to regional inequities. She sheds insight into the complex socioeconomic factors influencing the use and protection of marine resources. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) was established in 1987 and is a focal point in determining how to respond to economic difficulties as it addresses regional imbalances.[4] ACOA is a productivist ideational regime meant to direct funding and other support to regional businesses. The commission, among other agencies, would help companies in Atlantic Canada to become more competitive, thus fostering tourism growth.
The mutually beneficial relationship between sustainable fisheries techniques and tourism brings in an increasing number of environmentally aware travellers who look for locations that share their ideals of environmental stewardship. Adopting sustainable fishing techniques makes the Maritimes capitalize on the appeal of immaculate seas and an uncompromising dedication to ecological sustainability. Sustainable practices protect natural resources and establish the region as an eco-friendly sanctuary. Innovation and diversification of fishing activities are necessary to help deal with drawbacks like the shrinkage of fish stocks. Mainly, small-scale fisheries play an essential role in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as they can offer food security (SDG1), alleviate poverty (SDG2), provide gender equality (SDG5), promote overall community well-being (SDG3), and promote economic growth (SDG8).[5]
Early Economic and Environmental Dynamics
The Maritimes’ early economic and environmental dynamics are a crucial starting point toward understanding how sustainable seafood practices impact tourism in the region. In the past, the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick colonies were exploited. Such a historical account of the Maritime region shows how marine resources were initially exploited in the Atlantic, and this was only the beginning of the transformative shift towards more sustainable practices. The emergence of the new middle class of local leaders in these colonies reshaped the focus from serving the interests of the British mercantile interests. Unlike the older politicians who extracted profits for faraway investors, the new middle class advocated for local community interests.[6] This transition from early economic practices towards sustainability explains how the new cultural heritage attracted more authentic and environmentally responsible tourists.
The relationship between the Maritimes and the sea has affected the tourism sector in the region. This connection started from the early days when indigenous fishing methods were a common practice that European immigrants came with. The Atlantic was a rich source of wealth, yet beyond the economic significance, it defined a new culture. The Atlantic creates a strong bond between people and their culture that lasts a long time. This connection shows how important it is to take care of the sea. Tourists want to experience the culture of the Maritimes and help take care of the environment simultaneously.
The early residents of the Maritimes greatly depended on the sea as their primary way of life. The Maritimes had a special connection with the sea because of their old-fashioned ways of fishing passed down through many years. In the 17th century, British and French explorers tried to set up homes there, but it was mainly a place for many fishermen who came every spring to catch lots of codfish.[7] Other countries did not want people to settle there permanently so that they could keep fishing for trade with faraway places. English and Irish folks settled bit by bit, especially along the southeastern coasts. The government did little, thinking of it as a place for seasonal fishing, and business people wanted to spend less on managing things. This history explains how sustainable fishing practices started and their effect on tourism in the Maritimes today.
The Atlantic Ocean has been important for the Maritimes, helping them grow economically and creating a special culture. People are drawn to the Atlantic because of its rich fisheries, easy-to-navigate rivers, and the promise of lots of seafood. This connection is not just about money; it is more like a strong bond. For example, in Paradise — Nisoqe’katik, a small community with a turbine installed in the early 1970s, people used to fish a lot there.[8] This shows how the community and the Atlantic have a give-and-take relationship, affecting jobs and culture. Looking back, the Atlantic’s resources have always been important, creating a lasting connection for the people in the Maritimes. The things that changed the Maritimes over time are influenced by how they relate to the sea responsibly and sustainably.
Capitalism, Underdevelopment and Impact on Sustainability
In the underdeveloped parts of the Maritimes, things started to change concerning sustainability. Capitalism connected how money worked with fishing, forming a part of the region’s significant past. This past illustrates why some places did not grow and how far the capitalist ideas affected fishing activity. After the Second World War, Maritime scholars struggled to battle unfulfilled federal government regional development plans and regional prejudices at Canadian colleges.[9] These struggles emphasized how political ploys in Ottawa consistently hurt the needs of locals. This new way of thinking challenged a central Canadian historiography. Detailing central Canada in a new light tells how taking care of the sea while fishing is part of the Maritimes’ history. The move towards more sustainable approaches to seafood practices was a new trajectory in the maritime industry.
Some places in the Maritime grew little, based on the set up of societies that clashed with capitalist interests. The region’s economy shifted from traditional fishing to industrial methods that hurt the environment. The Maritimes, traditionally a region focused on small-scale, locally owned fishing operations, underwent transformation brought about by the arrival of capitalist interests. This era was marked by intense European imperial competition over Indigenous territories in northeastern North America.[10] Significantly, this period consolidated the global capitalist system and led the British North American settler states to assume a significant role in the broader world economy. Capitalism interfered with the sustainability interests in the Maritimes.
Once closely tied to the tides’ rhythm, the Maritimes villages found themselves navigating unfamiliar territory. Changes driven by the winds of economic shifts, fueled by the sails of capitalism, reshape the region’s socio-cultural fabric and physical geography. This transformation left a lasting imprint on the collective memory of an area intimately connected to the sea, echoing through time. A dynamic interplay exists between economic forces and human resilience, with large-scale commercial activities signalling broader social changes. The demand for trade goods was so high that, during the initial decades of the 17th century, it led to the emergence of a form of Native commerce. In 1607, M. de Poutrincourt, the founder of the Port Royal settlement, embarked on a journey to what is presently known as Saco, Maine.[11] The pull of economic growth and profit ushers in a new period that irrevocably changes the customs of maritime life. The Maritimes experienced a remarkable metamorphosis, shaping the region’s traditional ways of life and influencing the burgeoning landscape of tourism.
III. Neoliberalism, Regional Disparities and Sustainability
Karen Foster analyses neoliberalism and reactions to regional differences, adding layers of intricacy to the historical tableau of the Maritimes. The socioeconomic aspects relate to the Maritime use and preservation of marine resources. When Finance Minister Walter E. Harris talked about a new law in the House of Commons, he pointed out how tough it is to balance different things in Canada, like money, where places are, people’s backgrounds, habits, and beliefs.[12] People viewed each province as having its unchanging wealth. The study of ACOA also links the Maritimes’ money troubles to trying to make things fairer between regions. ACOA proves the region’s commitment to fixing imbalances with specific interventions.
The start of neoliberal policies, with a big emphasis on free markets and less government control, is a big change in how money works in the Maritimes. The region starts using these new money ideas, trying to find a balance between using the sea for money and caring for it. One crucial factor that stands out is the ACOA, explicitly founded in 1987 to redress regional inequities.[13] ACOA becomes a pivot that influences how the Maritimes respond to economic difficulties. Keeping things sustainable and conserving nature sometimes matches what neoliberalism promises. Conflict arises when negotiating a situation where the preservation of natural resources and commercial incentives collide. Neoliberal plans can help make more money, but it is tricky to make them work well with what is needed to keep things sustainable, especially when the Maritimes are dealing with regional inequities. Making institutions work becomes important in this ongoing struggle to find a balance between saving the environment and making money.
The Rise of Sustainable Seafood Practices
The development of sustainable seafood methods presents a pivotal moment in the historical narrative that changes the course of Maritime history. These actions, from small local efforts to a bigger public awareness, change how the Maritimes see their connection to the sea. When they decide to fish sustainably and get eco-certifications, things are changing. People started realizing that the sea was not endless like they thought. For instance, fish stocks are declining rapidly, with catch levels dropping to 50% in small-scale fisheries between 2009 and 2011 in the eastern Aegean Sea.[14] The Maritimes’ attitude to seafood is shaped by these markers, which become crucial not just as legislative measures but also as cultural cornerstones beyond economic considerations.
People share the desire to protect the area’s natural resources since environmental awareness is a great motivating factor. It is a big change when they realize the oceans, once thought to have endless energy, can run out. Folks care more about the environment, and the Maritimes have changed a lot, so fishing in a way that will not hurt the sea is important to their identity. Due to decades of unsustainable national and EU fishing policies, there is an urgent need for action, prompting fishermen to upgrade their boats and gear, learn better ways to catch fish and go to new places to fish.[15] People can change and keep going from small projects and grow to a big understanding of the whole area. The Maritimes, a place tied to the sea, choose to live with the water peacefully, knowing that keeping things going well depends on being careful about using the sea and keeping it safe.
When people in the region decide to fish in a way that will not harm the sea, it becomes a symbol of them taking care of their home—an idea that goes beyond just money and keeping their culture safe. Getting eco-certifications, which was once a special thing, now shows everyone worldwide that the Maritimes are defenders of the sea’s health and a source of good seafood. For example, the current regulations regarding fishing tourism prioritize the safety of both tourists and fishermen. Professional fishermen get a fishing tourism license if their boats follow safety rules, like having a Certificate of Airworthiness and following guidelines about the crew, cleanliness, and how passengers get on the boat.[16] The move to use sustainable ways to get seafood is a big moment in the Maritimes’ history. It is like steering through the challenge of having limited resources and choosing a better future for everyone. It is not just about laws; it is about a way of thinking, a deep understanding that the sea’s wealth is a gift and a responsibility.
Impact on Tourism
The symbiotic dance between sustainable fisheries methods and tourism takes centre stage, highlighting a link beyond straightforward business dealings. Within the complex network of travel, travellers, ever more sensitive to the pounding drumbeat of environmental concerns, find themselves compelled to travel to locations that not only entice the senses but also carry the sustainability seal of approval. Examining how the Maritime region, by adopting sustainable fisheries techniques, not only protected its natural resources but also became a draw for a growing number of environmentally concerned travellers.
A moving part of history is the emergence of responsible tourism. Armed with a greater understanding of the environment, tourists look for places that share their commitment to environmental care. Silver tourism or cultural tourism, for example, emerge as viable options due to the rising global ageing population, presenting a growing market with increased income and leisure time, and with cultural tourism accounting for over 39% of tourism arrivals.[17] The Maritimes take centre stage in this new reality, presenting themselves as an environmentally conscious refuge and foodie destination. The region becomes a beacon for individuals who view travel as a responsible option rather than merely a means of transportation, thanks to its attraction of immaculate waterways and unshakable dedication to environmental preservation.
Sustainable seafood practices transform into more than just a set of rules; instead, they act as a potent draw for travellers looking for more than just a delicious meal—they are looking to immerse themselves in a way of life that is in harmony with the environment. The Maritimes unintentionally create an identity that appeals to eco-conscious tourists, who value the history of the seafood on their plate just as much as the flavour itself, by taking on the role of stewards of their maritime resources.
Bibliography
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[1] Hofman, C. L., Borck, L., Laffoon, J. E., Slayton, E. R., Scott, R. B., Breukel, T. W., … & Hoogland, M. L. (2021). Island networks: Transformations of inter-community social relationships in the Lesser Antilles at the advent of European colonialism. The Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology, 16(2-4), 292.
[2] Forbes, E. R., and D. A. Muise. The Atlantic Provinces in Confederation. 2nd ed. Heritage Series. University of Toronto Press, 2001.
[3] Dale, B. (2019). Farming for system change: The politics of food sovereignty and climate change in Canada (Doctoral dissertation, University of Toronto (Canada)), 14.
[4] Foster, Karen. “Productivism, neoliberalism, and responses to regional disparities in Canada: The case of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.” Acadiensis 48, no. 2 (2019), 120.
[5] Kyvelou, S. S. I., & Ierapetritis, D. G. (2020). Fisheries sustainability through soft multi-use maritime spatial planning and local development co-management: Potentials and challenges in Greece. Sustainability, 12(5), 2026, 1.
[6] Muise, D. A. (1993). The 1860s: Forging the Bonds of Union. The Atlantic Provinces in Confederation, p. 13.
[7] Muise, D. A. (1993). The 1860s: Forging the Bonds of Union, 7.
[8] Taylor, C. A. (2020). Paleogeography, Sea-level Change and the Peopling of the Maritimes: An Archaeological Perspective, 70.
[9] Burrill, Fred. “Re-developing underdevelopment: An agenda for new histories of capitalism in the Maritimes.” Acadiensis 48, no. 2 (2019), 181.
[10] Burrill, Fred. “Re-developing underdevelopment, 183.
[11] Taylor, C. A. (2020). Paleogeography, Sea-level Change, 34.
[12] Foster, Karen. “Productivism, neoliberalism, and responses, 124.
[13] Foster, Karen. “Productivism, neoliberalism, and responses, 118.
[14] Kyvelou, S. S. I., & Ierapetritis, D. G. (2020). Fisheries sustainability through, 9.
[15] Kyvelou, S. S. I., & Ierapetritis, D. G. (2020). Fisheries sustainability through, 9.
[16] Kyvelou, S. S. I., & Ierapetritis, D. G. (2020). Fisheries sustainability through, 10.
[17] Kyvelou, S. S. I., & Ierapetritis, D. G. (2020). Fisheries sustainability through, 16.
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