The Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) is a widespread, bottom-living, species with at least three distinct populations (or ‘stocks’). The Northeast Arctic (or Arcto-Norwegian) population spawns along the Norwegian Coast and the young then drift up to the Barents Sea, while the North Sea population remains very much within the North Sea. The Northwest population is found off Canada and America, and it has been seriously overfished.
North Sea Cod Stock
Like many fish the old view was that stocks were limitless, but with the rapid development of trawl fishing in the North Sea in the second half of the nineteenth century, and when the railway system developed and became cheaper, cod started to be very heavily fished. They became a cheap fish rather than a luxury (as they had been previously). Overfishing of the North Sea Cod stock meant that it was on the verge of collapse in 2001, but recent reports suggest that there might have been a slight recovery by 2007.
Fish and Chip Shops
In the same period (when cheap cod became readily available all over England) people began deep-frying chunks of potato to sell as ‘chips’, and the ‘Fish and Chip Shop’ was born. ‘Fish and Chips’ rapidly became a staple of the poor throughout England, and a traditional British dish was born. There are many ways to eat Fish and Chips, but the English shops usually provide free salt and vinegar. The meal was taken away to be eaten at home, wrapped in old newspaper. Many shops still operate in the same way, but now sterile materials have replaced the old newspaper and a small wooden fork is often supplied.
Less Cod Available
Now that cod stocks have been reduced it not possible to meet the demand for ‘traditional’ fish and chips, so many other species of fish are also offered. Like salmon and oysters (which were also once food for the poor) cod is now expensive, almost a luxury item.
Cod War
The English felt that maintaining the supply of cod was so important that in 1972 (when Iceland effectively extended its fishing grounds) a fleet of British Royal Naval warships was dispatched to watch over British trawlers.
Other Species Known As Cod
In addition to the Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) there are two other distinct species – the Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalus) and the Greenland Cod (Gadus ogac), but many other species also known and marketed as ‘cod’ of one type or another.
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