tales-of-Fogo-Island

The Fish MerchantsWhen the salt fish trade became a major industry, fish merchants set up localoffices to buy and sell fish. A number of merchants operated on Fogo Island.Some of these were Earle and Sons Company Limited, The Newfoundlandand Labrador Export Company and the Fishermen's Union Trading Company.Earle and Sons Company Limited, FogoNewfoundland & Labrador Export Company, FogoMost fishermen had a 'charge account' with a local merchant. In early spring,each fisherman would go to the merchant and get food and fishing supplies oncredit. He would continue to borrow on credit until the fishing season was overand he shipped his catch.Fish 'cullers' on the merchant's wharf checked the quality of the fish when itwas shipped. They looked at the size and condition of the fish and gave eachfish a grade. 'Number One' fish was top quality and had the highest value.