The Cod Wars

The Cod Wars

The Cod Wars were a series of confrontations between Iceland and the United Kingdom from 1958 to 1976 concerning fishing rights in the waters surrounding Iceland. The disputes had a profound impact on Iceland’s economy, sovereignty, and future as a fishing nation.

At the time, fishing was the foundation of the Icelandic economy, making the protection of fish stocks a national priority. Iceland gradually extended its exclusive fishing zone, first to 12 nautical miles, then to 50 miles, and finally to 200 nautical miles in 1975.

These extensions led to strong reactions from the United Kingdom, which deployed naval vessels to protect British trawlers. Confrontations occurred between Icelandic Coast Guard ships and British warships, including the use of wire cutters designed to sever trawler fishing lines.

Despite its limited military power, Iceland maintained its position with strong public support and political unity. The conflicts ended with agreements recognizing Iceland’s control over its 200-nautical-mile exclusive fishing zone.

Iceland’s success in the Cod Wars proved highly influential in international maritime law and helped shape the modern concept of exclusive economic zones. Today, many coastal nations base their fisheries management on the same 200-nautical-mile principle that Iceland fought to establish.