What Has Happened to the Cod Stocks Off the Shores of Newfoundland?

The Newfoundland cod stocks. What has happened to cod fishing off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland?

Several centuries ago, John Cabot, sailing under the English flag, found the richest fishing area the world would come to know. Cod stocks in the Grand Banks region off the coast of Newfoundland were so bountiful and endless that the wheels starting to turn. England saw the potential wealth that cod fishing could bring their country.

Cod fish, once caught, could be dried and salted and sailed back to Europe. Cod was light and easily transported and furthermore, less expensive that other meats such as beef, pork, or lamb. At that point in time, the wealth that cod could bring to the European market was thought to surpass that of South American gold or Caribbean sugar.

The English fisherman saw large cod fish, sturgeon and salmon and very much plentiful. Huge oysters, herring, and squid were also found in endless amounts.

Today, sorry to say, that Newfoundland's cod stocks are gone. During the deep-sea, mechanized trawler days, the cods stocks have been no match for the large nets of these trawlers. The entire peninsula of Newfoundland was dependent upon the fishing industry for its employment. People either fished the waters, built the ships that fished the waters or worked in the fish plants. Now the employment is gone as well.

The cod stocks are returning but we will ever see cod rebound to their once glorious numbers? We can only hope.

Catherine Kenyeres is a successful author and publisher for http://www.best-4u-fishing-equipment.com. Catherine has written numerous articles for the fishing enthusiast.

Latest News


Newsday

Feds charge Montauk fleet with illegal bass fishing
Newsday, NY - 2 hours ago
James Cassin, a National Marine Fisheries special agent, said the agency had reports of fishing boats going to the Block Island Sound buoy in federal waters ...
Fleet, captain charged with illegal bass catch Newsday
all 4 news articles

Fishing | Winter steelhead show up early
Seattle Times, United States - 3 hours ago
Winter steelhead fishing usually begins in earnest around Thanksgiving, but it appears they've ignored tradition and have arrived early. ...
Fishing report: Coho and steelhead are biting in several rivers The Olympian
Outdoors Report: Signs improve as rivers shape up Seattle Post Intelligencer
Catch rate is rising for fly anglers The Olympian
all 4 news articles

The Associated Press

Thai fishing boat hijacked by pirates off Somalia
The Associated Press - Nov 18, 2008
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Pirates hijacked a Thai fishing boat with 16 crew members Tuesday off the coast of Somalia, the same day a major Norwegian ...
Kiribati fishing boat reportedly hijacked Radio Australia
Sirius Star pirates demand $25m ransom guardian.co.uk
FACTBOX: Who are the pirates off Somalia's coast? Reuters
Daily Mail - Aljazeera.net
all 3,769 news articles

Economy, hurricanes cause recreational recession
Houston Chronicle, United States - 4 hours ago
The result has been a significant decline in sales of the fishing and hunting licenses that almost wholly fund state programs that manage wildlife, ...

Fishing Report
The News Journal, DE - 2 hours ago
By BOB JONES • Special to The News Journal • November 20, 2008 Catch reports from offshore anglers fishing the warm Gulf Stream waters off the Outer Banks ...
Despite mixed up weather, there's still great fishing Bethany Beach Wave
all 2 news articles

Fishing: Cold front has cooled things down, but opportunities ...
Naples Daily News, FL - 3 hours ago
The exact effects that this will have on the local fishing are uncertain, however two different, reputable guides told me they had sighted several shivering ...
South Florida fishing report MiamiHerald.com
all 2 news articles

Fishing report Nov. 20
New Mexican, NM - 5 hours ago
Conchas Lake: Fishing was slow for all species. Eagle Nest Lake: Kokanee snagging was fair for anglers working the south side by boat. ...
Fishing Report: Week of Nov. 20 Rio Grande Sun
all 3 news articles

Northwest Arkansas Fishing Report
The Morning News, AR - 3 hours ago
Bob Bauer at Lost Bridge Marina said anglers have reported good fishing early with top-water lures. The fish go deep by the afternoon. ...
Arkansas fishing report Pine Bluff Commercial
Statewide Fishing Report The Morning News
all 3 news articles

Fishing Line: Top Picks
Sacramento Bee,  USA - 3 hours ago
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento--Striped bass fishing was still pretty good, with some being caught in the Port of Sacramento, and the mouths of the American ...
11-year-old has big dreams Ventura County Star
all 2 news articles

Oregon offers online hunting and fishing licenses
The Oregonian - OregonLive.com, OR - 9 hours ago
AP SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Hunters and anglers can now go online to buy their Oregon licenses. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is offering residents ...

Resources