Weathering the storm: survival strategies after the cod crisis in Ramea, NL

Abstract

The economic restructuring which followed the cod moratorium of 1992 forced hundreds of rural communities and thousands of families into a situation that they were unprepared for and ill-equipped to deal with. For many communities the cod fishery was their sole reason for existence. However, despite this economic crisis, some communities have survived into the 21st century. Ramea, a community on the southwest coast of Newfoundland, is one such community. While there has been a lack of long-term employment available in Ramea, individuals and families who remained there have coped. In light of these circumstances, the economic actions or "survival strategies" are explored and compared to a number of competing economic theories. In addition, individual's social relations, community social structure and the general culture are examined in terms of how they influence individuals' ability to cope.