Decades of overfishing in Newfoundland and Labrador caused the northern cod stocks to collapse during the 1990s and resulted in a moratorium.

A major concern surrounding Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore oil industry is that it may do serious damage to the ocean environment.

The Voisey's Bay project has the potential to do considerable damage to the environment if not properly managed by industry and by the government.

One of the industries which the Smallwood government managed to lure to the province with the promise of cheap power was the ERCO.