Fogo Island

Fogo Island
Name	Fogo Island
Settlement type	Island
Pushpin label position	left
Coordinates	49, 40, N, 54...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Canada
Subdivision type1	Province
Subdivision name1	Newfoundland and Labrador
Subdivision type2	Region
Subdivision name2	Notre Dame Bay
Subdivision type3	Census division
Subdivision name3	Division No. 8, Subdivision C
Area total km2	254
Elevation m	120
Population total	2,244
Population as of	2021
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	NST
Utc offset	-3:30
Timezone DST	NDT
Utc offset DST	-2:30
Postal code type	Postal code span
Postal code	A0G
Area code	709
Website	https://www.townoffogoisland.ca/

Fogo Island is a large island located off the northeast coast of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is the largest of the offshore islands in Notre Dame Bay and is known for its starkly beautiful, rugged landscape shaped by ancient glaciers. The island is home to several distinct communities, including the town of Fogo, and has a rich history tied to the North Atlantic cod fishery. In recent decades, it has gained international recognition for innovative community-led economic development and contemporary cultural projects that celebrate its unique heritage.

Geography

The island's terrain is dominated by the rocky, windswept Fogo Island Range, with Brimstone Head often cited as one of the four corners of the flat Earth by the now-defunct Flat Earth Society. Its coastline is deeply indented with numerous fjords, coves, and small offshore islands like Little Fogo Islands. The climate is classified as subarctic, heavily influenced by the cold Labrador Current, resulting in cool summers, long winters, and frequent fog. The island is separated from the main island of Newfoundland by the Hamilton Sound and is accessible via a government-operated ferry service from Farewell.

History

First inhabited by Maritime Archaic and later Dorset and Beothuk peoples, the island saw seasonal use for thousands of years. Permanent European settlement began in the early 18th century, primarily by fishermen from the West Country of England and Ireland, who established fishing rooms and small outports. The island's history is inextricably linked to the cod fishery, with merchants like Slade and Kelson operating from Fogo in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Moravian Church also established a mission on the island in the 19th century. The 1992 cod moratorium was a devastating economic and social turning point, leading to significant population decline and prompting a radical rethinking of the island's future.

Economy

For centuries, the economy was almost exclusively based on the inshore fishery, with saltfish being the primary export. Following the cod moratorium, the economy has diversified to include snow crab, shrimp, and lobster harvesting. A major driver of renewal has been the Shorefast Foundation, a charitable organization founded by island native Zita Cobb and her brothers. Its flagship project, the Fogo Island Inn, is a world-renowned geotourism destination and social business that channels profits back into community initiatives. Other ventures include the Fogo Island Fish brand, which markets sustainably caught seafood, and support for local artisans and micro-enterprises.

Culture

The island's culture is a distinct blend of English and Irish settler traditions, preserved in its unique dialects, folk music, and storytelling. The Fogo Island Arts corporation, an initiative of Shorefast, runs an internationally acclaimed artist-in-residence program, bringing contemporary artists, filmmakers, and thinkers like John C. Polanyi to engage with the community. This has fostered a vibrant contemporary arts scene alongside traditional crafts like quilting, hook-rug making, and boat building. The Fogo Island Workshop of the 1960s, facilitated by the National Film Board of Canada, was a pioneering experiment in participatory filmmaking and community development.

Tourism

Tourism is a growing sector, centered on cultural and ecological experiences. Key attractions include the architecturally striking Fogo Island Inn, designed by Todd Saunders, and a network of four unique artist studios placed in remote landscapes. Visitors can explore historic sites like the Bleak House Museum in Fogo, hike trails to landmarks such as Brimstone Head, and take boat tours to see puffins and icebergs. The island also hosts festivals like the Fogo Island Partridgeberry Harvest Festival, celebrating local food and traditions.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with the island include philanthropist and tech executive Zita Cobb, founder of the Shorefast Foundation; her brother, entrepreneur and foundation co-founder Tony Cobb; acclaimed filmmaker and Academy Award nominee William D. MacGillivray; and former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador Clyde Wells. Artist Michele Provost and writer Michael Crummey have also drawn inspiration from the island's landscape and communities.

Category:Islands of Newfoundland and Labrador Category:Populated places in Notre Dame Bay