The Cod Wars: Iceland and the UK’s historic battle over fishing rights. The first of a series of features by Fish Focus, starting with our spotlight on Iceland. We will be posting an article every day, covering this amazing trip and showcasing the Icelandic Seafood industry, Icelandic heritage and the hospitality of the Icelandic people. You can read the whole publication here
Flosi Þorgeirsson and Björgvin þór Björgvinsson, Head of Seafood at Business Iceland and Head of Fisheries at Seafood from Iceland
Flosi Þorgeirsson, an Icelandic musician, podcast host and historian, presented a vivid depiction of The Cod Wars going back in history to set the scene that would lead to the disputes which took place from the 1950’s to the 1970’s.
Flosi explained:
“The Age of Sail changed fishing around Iceland’s coastline as early as 1400 when English boats arrived to fish the rich coastal waters and they were quickly followed by fishermen and traders from Germany, Denmark, Spain and Portugal. Icelandic fishermen had long complained about being isolated as few fishing boats would sail there, but by 1410 it was the other way around.”
“Iceland was part of the Kingdom of Norway at this time and new laws were passed to prohibit fishing and trade with foreigners, but that proved difficult if not impossible to uphold.” he added.
This set the scene for many years of fishing disputes and the roots of the Cod Wars can be traced to the 19th and early 20th centuries, as advancements in fishing technology and an increasing demand for fish led to intensive exploitation of fish stocks. The North Atlantic, rich in cod, became a crucial battleground for fishing right particularly between Iceland and the United Kingdom.
Continuing on from these historical disputes, The Cod Wars were a series of confrontations between Iceland and the United Kingdom from the 1950s to the 1970s over fishing rights in Icelandic waters in the North Atlantic.
The First Cod War (1958-1961)
The first Cod War began in September 1958 after Iceland unilaterally extended its territorial waters from 4 nautical miles to 12 nautical miles. The United Kingdom, which had a long history of fishing in these waters, refused to recognise this extension. The conflict was marked by confrontations at sea between British trawlers and Icelandic patrol vessels. The Royal Navy was
deployed to protect British fishing vessels, leading to several ramming incidents. The conflict ended in 1961 with Iceland’s fishing zone being internationally recognised at 12 nautical miles.
The Second Cod War (1972-1973)
The second Cod War erupted when Iceland further extended its fishing limits to 50 nautical miles in September 1972. The UK once again opposed this move, leading to more naval confrontations. Icelandic coast guard ships used cutters to sever the nets of British trawlers, while British naval vessels were sent to protect their fishing fleet. The conflict intensified, resulting in more aggressive manoeuvres and damage to vessels on both sides. The dispute ended in 1973 with an agreement that allowed limited British access to the new 50-mile zone, coupled with specific quotas.
The Third Cod War (1975-1976)
Gunboat Baldur, a converted stern trawler. Due to its sharp stern, Baldur could inflict heavy damage on British ships colliding with its stern section and knocked out three frigates during the conflict.
The third and final Cod War occurred after Iceland extended its fishing limits to 200 nautical miles in November 1975, reflecting the newly established international trend towards 200-mile
exclusive economic zones (EEZs). The UK again resisted, leading to the most intense confrontations of all three Cod Wars. Iceland threatened to close the NATO base at Keflavik, at a critical
point during the Cold War, leveraging geopolitical concerns to gain support. The United States intervened, facilitating negotiations that resulted in the UK recognising the 200-mile limit, effectively
ending the conflict in 1976.
Consequences and Impact
The Cod Wars had significant and lasting impacts:
Maritime Law and EEZs: The disputes were pivotal in the global acceptance of the 200-mile exclusive economic zone, which became enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982.
Economic Impact: The conflicts highlighted the economic vulnerability of Iceland, which relied heavily on its fishing industry. Securing larger fishing zones helped ensure the country’s economic stability.
Diplomatic and Military Engagements: The Cod Wars showcased the complexities of using naval power in peacetime disputes and the role of international diplomacy in resolving conflicts over natural resources.
Environmental Awareness: They underscored the need for sustainable fishing practices, as overfishing became a concern for both nations, influencing future fisheries management policies.
The Cod Wars were more than a series of maritime disputes; they were a testament to the changing landscape of international law, economic survival, and the interplay between national interests and global diplomacy.
They remain a notable example of how nations negotiate and assert control over vital natural resources in the face of geopolitical and economic challenges.