Cod Fish History

The cod fish has become a major topic of conversation across multiple reaches of different conversation. The once vastly abundant cod fish has dwindled in numbers. The impacts of the depleted cod populations have had great impacts on worldwide economies and ecological systems. It is important to acknowledge how we came to be in such a situation and how our past actions in regards to cod fish will shape our present and future actions. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief chronological history of the cod fishery starting with the series of events leading to the fisheries collapse. Fallowed by the ecological and life history impacts of the crash. Ending with conversation on present conservation efforts.
Brief History of the Cod Fishery …show more content…
At this time the French and English competed fiercely for cod fish. The French were fishing off of the coast of North America. Many of the French Vessels would skip drying the fish. Instead, they heavily salt the cod upon capture and set a direct course back to France. This tactic allowed the French to get their catch back to the market before the English could. It also allowed the French to have enough time to return to their fishing sites more than once in a season (Parsons, …show more content…
They even developed a new boat for fishing known as the fishing schooner (Parsons, 1993). This new boat was used for whaling, cod fishing, and trading. The boat itself had fore and aft sails on two or more masts (Britannica, 1998). The boat was quick and allowed colonists to increase their efficiency in trade and fishing. The colonists eventually amassed enough wealth and power that in 1776 the American Revolution began. The revolution caused even a greater need for fish. Schooner fleets grew larger and larger to meet the demand of fish (Parsons,