Dan Snow's History Hit: The Cod Wars Episode Release Date: December 16, 2024

Host: Dan Snow
Guest: Will Reynolds, Lecturer in Defence Studies at King's College London

1. Introduction to the Cod Wars

Historian Dan Snow delves into one of the most unconventional conflicts in modern history: the Cod Wars between Britain and Iceland. Unlike typical wars driven by ideological or territorial disputes, the Cod Wars were sparked by disagreements over fishing rights in the North Atlantic, highlighting how vital natural resources can lead to intense international tensions.

2. Historical Context and Background

Dan Snow [04:41]:
"I have a strange fascination with some of the more bizarre conflicts in the long and lamentable catalog of human conflict... the Cod Wars."

Will Reynolds provides a foundation, explaining that while conflicts over fishing are not new, the Cod Wars of the mid-20th century brought these disputes to an unprecedented level of intensity. The disagreements primarily revolved around the expansion of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), which determine the area from which a nation can exploit marine resources.

3. The Anatomy of the Cod Wars

Defining the Cod Wars: The Cod Wars comprised three main confrontations between Britain and Iceland:

1. First Cod War (1958-1961): Iceland sought to extend its fishing limits from 3 to 12 nautical miles.
2. Second Cod War (1972-1973): Further extension to 50 nautical miles.
3. Third Cod War (1975-1976): Push towards the current 200 nautical miles EEZ.

Will Reynolds [06:18]:
"The idea of fish being a tension point between nations is not relegated to the 20th century... primarily men would go out for months, essentially, and do these things."

4. The First Cod War (1958-1961)

Iceland's attempt to extend its fishing zone led to immediate friction. British trawlers, vital to the economies of coastal British cities like Hull and Grimsby, resisted these changes.

Notable Incident:

• The Northern Foam [10:01]: A British trawler defied Icelandic boundaries, leading to violent confrontations. A crew member threatened aggressive actions against Icelandic coast guard vessels.

Will Reynolds [13:19]:
"It's incredibly difficult to arrest a vessel at sea... you have to achieve some sort of dominance."

The Royal Navy struggled to manage the situation without escalating the conflict into broader geopolitical tensions, especially considering NATO alliances.

Conclusion of the First Cod War: An agreement was reached, mediated by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), establishing quotas and monitored fishing areas. However, Iceland viewed the agreement as compromised, setting the stage for future conflicts.

5. The Second Cod War (1972-1973)

With economic pressures mounting, Iceland pushed for a 50 nautical mile limit. The British government faced a dilemma: uphold international fishing rights or protect the livelihoods of thousands of trawler workers.

Economic Stakes:

• Iceland: 86% of exports were fish-related. A decline in fish stocks threatened the nation's GDP and survival.
• Britain: Massive unemployment loomed if trawler operations were curtailed.

Notable Innovations:

• Warp Cutters [26:00]: Icelandic forces developed tools to disable British trawlers by cutting their warp lines, significantly reducing their productivity.

Will Reynolds [27:14]:
"There is a memorial for him, but it just highlights that there was a death, it was a conflict, it was just a very strange one."

Outcome: The Second Cod War concluded with Iceland effectively enforcing the 50-mile limit, despite increased tensions and violent encounters at sea.

6. The Third Cod War (1975-1976)

Iceland's relentless pursuit for a 200 nautical mile EEZ brought the conflict to its zenith. The British, now grappling with declining naval dominance and economic strains from the oil crisis, found themselves cornered.

Escalation Tactics:

• Ramming and Weaponry [35:50]: Both nations employed increasingly aggressive maneuvers. Icelandic vessels, though primarily unarmed, resorted to ramming, while British frigates developed unconventional tactics, including the use of railway spikes to disable Icelandic ships.

Notable Incident:

• Live Fire Engagement [27:14]: In a rare escalation, Icelandic Coast Guard fired solid shot at a British tugboat, leading to fatalities and highlighting the conflict's deadly potential.

Geopolitical Implications: The Cod Wars threatened the unity of NATO, with Iceland positioning itself as a pivotal member controlling vital maritime routes essential for Soviet submarine movements.

Will Reynolds [36:01]:
"They are highly sophisticated, a lot of them. Anti surface warfare vessels, anti submarine warfare vessels as well."

Resolution: Exhausted by the prolonged conflict and recognizing the unsustainable costs, Britain conceded to Iceland's demands. The establishment of the 200 nautical mile EEZ was acknowledged, solidifying modern maritime boundaries.

7. Aftermath and Implications

Economic Impact:

• Britain: The deep-sea trawling industry never fully recovered, leading to lasting economic repercussions for fishing communities.
• Iceland: Secured vital fish stocks, ensuring economic stability and reinforcing national sovereignty.

Geopolitical Lessons: The Cod Wars underscored the complexities of maritime law, resource-based conflicts, and the challenges small nations face against larger powers within international alliances.

Will Reynolds [43:30]:
"The Icelanders played a blinder of a game geopolitically... the UK do lose, but they lose with some compromises instead of an unconditional surrender."

8. Conclusion

The Cod Wars remain a testament to how resource scarcity and national survival can drive nations to extraordinary lengths. While they may seem trivial compared to global conflicts, the Cod Wars had profound implications for international maritime law, national economies, and geopolitical alliances.

Dan Snow [44:34]:
"Exactly. The Imperial Empire of Iceland."

Notable Quotes:

• Will Reynolds [10:30]:
  "The five Ps were power, pressure, principle, precedent, and prestige. The Cs were code of law, Cold War, cynicism, conservation, commitment, and compassion."

• Will Reynolds [13:19]:
  "It's incredibly difficult to arrest a vessel at sea... you have to achieve some sort of dominance."

• Dan Snow [26:07]:
  "Yes, it's the coolest thing ever." (Note: This appears amidst an advertisement and may not pertain directly to the Cod Wars discussion.)

• Will Reynolds [27:14]:
  "There is a memorial for him, but it just highlights that there was a death, it was a conflict, it was just a very strange one."

• Will Reynolds [36:01]:
  "They are highly sophisticated, a lot of them. Anti surface warfare vessels, anti submarine warfare vessels as well."

• Will Reynolds [43:30]:
  "The Icelanders played a blinder of a game geopolitically... the UK do lose, but they lose with some compromises instead of an unconditional surrender."

Final Thoughts:
The Cod Wars illustrate the intricate dance between national interests, economic survival, and international diplomacy. Through the lens of this peculiar yet impactful conflict, listeners gain insights into the broader themes of power dynamics, resource management, and the lengths nations will go to protect their sovereignty.