A Little Bit More
Despite the fact that the cod fishing industry in the north Atlantic has been a major factor in the stability and health of northern Europe for about 1000 years, most of us are unaware of this fish’s importance. Although trade in fresh cod was unavailable to people until recently, in the past fishermen were able to salt their cod so they could preserve it for long periods without spoilage. Salted cod could then be transported throughout Europe and eventually much of North America, to feed a hungry world.
As the unit poster notes, it was the mix of two major Atlantic Ocean currents near two large, shallow plateaus that provided the environmental “recipe” for the enormous numbers of cod off the North American coast. The mixing of the warm Gulf Stream and cold Labrador Current brought nutrients up from the depths providing all of the necessary ingredients for phytoplankton (tiny, floating plants) to flourish and support a rich food chain. Plants grew in abundance, tiny animals fed on the plants, small fish fed on the tiny animals and ultimately, the cod fed on the small fish.
Once humans discovered this rich source of cod in North American waters about 1500, they began fishing the banks with great success. Over the centuries, fishing techniques improved slowly and not until the process became mechanized did it really begin to cut into the stock of cod on the Banks. Unfortunately, the ability of the huge trawlers to harvest vast numbers of cod in mid 20th century proved too much for the cod to overcome through natural reproduction.
Activities
Science & Social Studies – History of Cod
Objectives: Historical research activity
Materials: Library or internet access
Activity 1:
The history that revolves around the harvesting of cod is extremely interesting. Cod have had a major impact on the march of humans around the North Atlantic. I think it would be interesting and revealing for students to write papers on some aspect of this history. You might want to assign different centuries for students to write/research about and then have them all assemble what they’ve found for a class overview.
Fishermen were catching and trading cod as far back as 1000 AD in northern European waters. By 1500 North American fishermen were already catching and trading cod on the coast of North America. Information on cod as an important resource is best documented from 1500 on so you may want to assign different centuries from 1500 up through the year 2000 and have students find out the importance of cod during each of these centuries in the New and Old World.
Early Cod history
Cod history
An excellent book on the history and importance of cod in the world can be found in:
Cod, Mark Kurlansky, 1997, Penguin Books
Science & Social Studies – Tragedy of the Commons
Objectives: Better insight into environmental problems in the world
Materials: Access to web site or library
Activity 2:
The Tragedy of the Commons is a classic story of how humans have misused resources throughout history. This story provides special insight into what drives humans to so actively misuse resources. This is an activity you may want to reserve for older students (maybe 5th grade and up) but even if you just discuss this in class, I think even some of the younger students can get a bit of a handle on this classic.
Wikipedia explanation of the “Tragedy of the Commons” concept
Tragedy of the Commons
Key Concepts
Populations and Ecosystems, Environmental Issues
Questions
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