From the arrival of Europeans until the 20th century, Newfoundland was valued mainly for its rich marine resources, especially cod.

More Europeans at the end of the 15th century were engaged in fishing than in any other occupation except farming.

The British migratory fishery at Newfoundland reached its height in the 18th century in terms of production, employment, and revenue.

Coming so soon after the massive market collapse of the late 1780s, the Anglo-French wars had a devastating effect on the migratory fishery.

Fishermen from Portugal, the Basque provinces of France and Spain, Northern France (perhaps Normandy) and West Country England are known to have frequented eastern Newfoundland during the first half of the 1600s, some as early as the first decade of the 16th century.

The prosperity and collapse of the migratory fishery from the American Revolution to the French Revolution.

Toward the end of the 18th century, Newfoundland's migratory fishery began to lose importance at a time the resident population was experiencing a sudden increase.

There were no garrisoned fortifications on the Island until France established its colony at Plaisance (Placentia) in 1662.

Information about the islands St. Pierre and Miquelon from their initial discovery by Joas Alvarez Fagundes, to the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713.

Extract from 'Journal of a Voyage from Leith to Newfoundland, Barcelona, etc.' by Edward Burd, dated August 11, 1726 to September 16, 1726.

Newfoundland with its adjacent waters was originally viewed as a cod fishery, an important supplement to fisheries carried on in European waters.

The 18th century brought a number of difficulties for the French fisheries at Newfoundland.

An article on Newfoundland's involment in the war between Britain and France which, with only minor interruption, lasted from 1793 until 1815

The French Treaty Shore came into existence with the ratification of the Treaty of Utrecht (1713).

A brief history of Labrador, including the importance of the fishery, permanent settlement, and relations with Quebec and with Newfoundland.

A brief overview of the history of the migratory fishery on the east coast of Newfoundland. Ferryland is highlighted as a port.

The most visible sign of the transformation from fishery to colony was the increase in Newfoundland's permanent population.

Petition to the Board of Trade from George Strange et al., dated January 21, 1706.

Petition to the Board of Trade from James Benger et al., dated January 10, 1707.

Two surveys of the south coast of Newfoundland were conducted between 1714 and 1716 to encourage English expansion into the region.