[Lorianne]

There is evidence Portuguese fisherman fished off the cost of Newfoundland for centuries before Columbus ... and they kept their fishing grounds a secret because dried salt cod was so useful and in demand that it was used as money in some places.

[virgil283]

" Portuguese fisherman fished off the cost of Newfoundland for centuries"

I agree ...it's not uncommon for ancient fishermen to go great distances as long as the could keep land in sight and have a source of fresh water and fuel to cook with.

[winodog]

http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/k/kurlansky-cod.html

[BluH2o]

There is evidence Portuguese fisherman fished off the cost of Newfoundland for centuries before Columbus ...

The Azores were discovered by the Portuguese in 1421. It's thought they were fishing the Grand Banks near Newfoundland and were stopping in the Azores for some provisioning and processing of their fish before returning to Portugal.