New Brunswick's Natural Wealth

New Brunswick, a Canadian province, is known for its natural beauty and abundant natural resources. The province is roughly 83% forested, with its northern half occupied by the Appalachian Mountains. Its natural resources include forests, rivers, lakes, and a seashore that attracts tourists, hunters, and sport fishermen. The province also has a rich variety of plant and animal life, including coniferous and deciduous trees, wild blueberries and cranberries, and wildlife such as white-tailed deer, moose, porcupines, and raccoons. In addition to its natural resources, New Brunswick has a diverse economic landscape, with sectors such as health care, social assistance, retail, and public administration employing the most people in recent years.

Forestry

The forest covers about 83% of the province, and almost all of the forest cover is considered suitable for forestry. The forest ecosystems support large carnivores such as the bobcat, Canada lynx, and black bear, and large herbivores like moose and white-tailed deer.

The types of trees found in New Brunswick's forests include coniferous trees commonly found in northern temperate climates, such as balsam fir, red and black spruce, pine, and hemlock. Deciduous stands, especially along the river valleys, consist of sugar and red maple, trembling aspen, and yellow and white birch.

In 2012, New Brunswick's forestry industry employed 11,900 people and generated revenues of about $437 million. Since 2014, the New Brunswick government has allowed forestry companies to harvest 20% more wood than before.

Fishing

The commercial fishing sector is backed by a world-class research network and modern processing facilities, making New Brunswick one of the largest exporters of fish and seafood products in Canada. In 2015, the province exported close to $1.4 billion worth of seafood products, with the value of seafood exports increasing by nearly $320 million (29%) over the previous year. The top three seafood exports from New Brunswick are lobster, salmon, and crab. The United States is the largest export market for the province's agrifood and seafood products, with Asia and the European Union also being key markets.

The fishing industry in New Brunswick is committed to innovative harvesting practices and sustainability. In 2023, the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick jointly invested $4.2 million through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund in 26 projects across Southeast New Brunswick that focus on innovative technologies to improve productivity and sustainability in the lobster, snow crab, and smoked herring processing sectors. This funding will enable local organisations to adapt to meet national and international market requirements.

Hunting

The northern part of New Brunswick is mountainous and forested, with the remote and rugged Miramichi Highlands, the Chaleur Uplands, and the Notre Dame Mountains, which reach 2,680 feet. The eastern and central portions of the province consist of forested lowlands with an abundance of swamps, lakes, and rivers.

Black bear hunting is a popular pursuit in New Brunswick, with an average bear sighting success rate of 95%-100%. The province offers both spring and fall seasons for hunting these large bruins, and the success rate for non-residents averages between 60% and 70%. Bear hunts are typically conducted over bait, with hunters placed on active bait sites to increase their chances of success.

Moose hunting is also a sought-after activity in New Brunswick, with an estimated population of 30,000 moose throughout the province. Moose hunts are conducted in late September when the bulls are in full rut, and the success rates for non-resident hunters can be as high as 80%. The average bull moose has an impressive antler spread of between 40 and 50 inches, and some of the biggest bulls can weigh more than 1000 pounds.

White-tailed deer hunting is another popular choice in New Brunswick, with a population of approximately 85,000 deer. Non-residents can purchase over-the-counter buck licenses, and the average dressed weight of an adult male deer exceeds 175 pounds, with some recorded as high as 270 pounds.

In addition to big game hunting, New Brunswick also offers excellent waterfowl and upland game hunting opportunities. The province has one of the most generous bag limits of Woodcock in North America, and its wetlands are carefully preserved to promote increased populations of waterfowl. Hunters can expect to find an abundance of species, including Grouse and Woodcock.

Whether it's firearm, bow, or crossbow hunting, New Brunswick provides a unique and exciting hunting experience with healthy game populations of all different species. The province's certified professional guides, outfitters, and lodges are ready to welcome hunters and ensure a successful and enjoyable trip.

Mining

The province's mining industry has also witnessed the emergence of several prominent mining companies and exploration ventures. Notable companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and other exchanges include Brunswick Exploration, Globex Mining, Galway Metals, Callinex Mines, Electric Royalties, and Gold Terra Resource, among others. These companies are actively exploring and developing various mineral deposits across New Brunswick.

Non-metallic minerals also contribute significantly to the province's mining sector. Peat, stone, and sulfur are among the most important non-metallic resources extracted. The combined value of metallic and non-metallic minerals in New Brunswick was estimated at $1.1 billion in 2012, underscoring the industry's economic significance.

New Brunswick's mining industry has experienced both highs and lows. The province's coal mining industry, for instance, flourished with the arrival of the railway in the Grand Lake region in 1903 but eventually declined by the mid-1960s due to the shift towards oil and hydroelectricity. However, the energy crises of the 1970s led to a resurgence of coal mining through strip mining.

The province's natural gas industry is also worth noting, with production dating back to 1909 at the Stoney Creek well. As of 2012, there were 30 producing natural gas wells in New Brunswick, contributing to the province's energy mix.

Agriculture

New Brunswick's agricultural landscape is characterised by gently rolling hills and flatlands in the central and eastern parts of the province, with tidal marshes and lowland plains in the southeast. The soils tend to be thin and acidic, particularly over the uplands, and most cultivable soils have limitations that restrict crop ranges.

Potatoes are the province's primary agricultural export, particularly seed potatoes, which accounted for about 44% of New Brunswick's total crop value in 2012. Potato production is concentrated along the upper Saint John River Valley. The second most important crop is fruits and berries, followed by floriculture, including nursery crops and sod.

Dairy production is largely centred in Kings, Westmorland, and York counties, which supply the three major cities. In 2012, dairy and poultry production were of near-equal importance, each accounting for around 40% of the total value of livestock production.

The province also has a significant beekeeping industry, with annual online registration available for beekeepers to register their honey bees.

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