A Part of the Nova Scotia Museum

First Floor

First Fishers

The museum’s newest exhibit introduces Atlantic Canada’s first fishers, the Mi’kmaq. This visually rich exhibit explores traditional fishing methods, the connection between nature and Mi’kmaw people, and how still today fishing is at the heart of many Mi’kmaq communities.

Fisheries Gallery

This grand space is comprised of three galleries: Visual Storage, Inshore Fishery, and the Spin Off Industries. As the museum continues to develop its exhibits the Visual Storage Gallery offers a peak into our collection. The Inshore Fishery Gallery highlights was one of the provinces long established industries. Peek inside the fish shack and view our traditional inshore fishing boats and gear. The Spin Off Industries Gallery is a series of mini facades that depict the individual industries that met the demands of the fisheries and helped to establish Lunenburg as a fishing capital.

Do Fish Sleep?

When creatures of the land (including humans) sleep, there are usually a few common denominators. Our eyes close; we "rest"; we have lowered awareness of our surroundings.

For fish, it can be difficult to meet all of those criteria. Very few fish have eyelids. Most fish can only pause from their normal activities and attempt to "rest". Depending upon the vulnerability of the fish, they strategically plan their resting hours and locations. They must be alert to danger, and the most defenseless ones will position themselves in mud, coral, or underwater plants. Some fish build underwater nests. Many of the other species simply float in place. At best, their times of sleep are times of rest, with a keen awareness of their need to be safe at all times.

So, ‘do fish sleep"? Yes, but not like humans sleep. They rest, full of the knowledge or instinct that their environment is a "fish eat fish" world.

On CAPE SABLE

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A Part of the Nova Scotia Museum

First Floor

First Fishers

Fisheries Gallery

Do Fish Sleep?