Cod Case

Cod

A book review

The Cod was a fish that built nations, fueled discoveries, started wars, and ultimately shined light on the flaws of presumption. Because of the cod's bounty and ability to reproduce in large numbers, it was believed in centuries past and as recently as the last century that it would always be available in such bounties. The cod has a history so unique all other modern world histories are linked to it. From the Viking exploration of the Americas, over 800 years before Christopher Columbus, to the rebirth of a nation that was almost completely detached from the outside world of Iceland. It was the "long lasting source of nutrition" that fueled slaves because it was inexpensive and could provide adequate subsistence for long hours of labor, and created enough capital for free trade in the New World that it was able to free itself from a ruling class.

In Mark Kurlansky's Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World, it states that "If ever there was a fish made to endure, it is the Atlantic cod- the common fish. But it has among its predators man, an open mouth species greedier than cod."(pg 45) Beginning with the Vikings and the Basques, the picture is painted of how the cod was made to endure. Unlike other meats and foods of its earlier time, it could be salted and dried and because of its lack of fat could be preserved for longer periods of time. It was cheap but provided "high- quality nutrition." (pg 24) It became a commodity and as Europe was looking for new resources at the time, was highly profitable.

With the "discovery" of the New World, cod took on more shine. As routes were still trying to be discovered to Asia, the abundance of cod drew and kept settlers in different parts of the new world especially Newfoundland and North Eastern parts of the United States were cod was abundant. Even as other parts of the New World were being settled, it was cod that remained in the race for trade. Because of this, New England went from a settlement to a hub for free trade. It was the prime example of "how an economy could flourish if individuals were given unrestricted commercial environment." ( pg 75) Although this was not the intent of the British government, it had happened right under their noses and was the catalyst for not only the American Revolution but in many ways the Civil War. Free trade allowed for capitalism and if one man can see himself transformed from a lower class laborer to a rich entrepreneur he would take advantage of that and fight for the right to preserve it.

Fishing for cod was a dangerous occupation prior to the industrial revolution and the invention of the steam boat. Record numbers of fisher-men lost their lives to the icy waters because of the way that cod was traditionally harvested. This danger led to the modernization of fishing practices. The beginning of the end was started with the use of longlines that could be baited several times across the line bringing in more cod than before. This then led to gillnetting that could catch more fish without the hassle of using more bait. Schooners became popular because of the speed at which they could fish and return to land. Next, were trawlers that could scour the ocean floor dragging up even more cod and