In July of 1992, the northern cod fishery was shut down completely. This was called the Moratorium. Nothing like it had ever happened before. Over the next few years, fish processing plants across the island closed and about 8,000 people left the province. Many were leaving places where they had always lived, and where their families had lived for generations. Many did not want to go.
Some people managed to stay in their home communities by finding new work. Some became involved in tourism. Some women who had worked in fish processing plants found new careers as crafts workers.