The Historical Abundance of Cod on the Nova Scotian Shelf

Only a generation ago marine scientists, fishery managers, and maritime historians shared the popular assumption that diminished fish stocks and damaged marine ecosystems were lamentable artifacts of the late twentieth century, of synthetic filaments, fish finding sonar, and electronic navigational systems. It seemed highly unlikely that historic sailing fleets could have depleted naturally abundant fish populations with simple hooks, hemp line, and handmade nets.