What was the nature of fishing in area up until about 1880?

Up until about 1880, fishing in the area was primarily a small-scale, artisanal activity pursued by local communities for subsistence and local trade. Fishing methods were predominantly traditional and involved the use of simple gear like nets, lines, and traps. People mainly fished in inshore waters, targeting a variety of species such as cod, herring, mackerel, and shellfish. This type of fishing was largely localized and did not involve large-scale commercial operations or advanced technologies.