Why was the foreign cod catch so high during 1960s and early 1970s?

During the 1960s and early 1970s, several factors contributed to the extremely high foreign cod catches in various regions, notably off the coasts of Canada and the United Kingdom. Here are the primary reasons behind this significant influx of foreign fishing vessels:

1. Absence of Extended Jurisdiction:

Many countries had relatively modest territorial waters, which allowed foreign vessels to fish in abundant fishing grounds located closer to shorelines. Extended jurisdiction policies were not yet widely adopted, granting foreign fleets access to rich fishing areas.

2. Modern Trawler Technology:

Advancements in fishing technology during this period, such as the introduction of large and efficient trawlers equipped with sophisticated navigation and fish-finding equipment, enabled foreign fishing fleets to exploit remote fishing grounds more efficiently.

3. Demand for Fish:

The global demand for fish was growing steadily, driven by population growth, urbanization, and changing dietary habits. This increased demand created incentives for foreign vessels to venture into new fishing areas to meet the market requirements.

4. Unregulated Fishing Practices:

During this time, fishing regulations and catch quotas were often insufficient or poorly enforced, leading to overfishing and unsustainable practices by some foreign fleets. This resulted in significant depletion of fish stocks in various areas.

5. Flags of Convenience:

Some countries offered "flags of convenience" by registering foreign-owned fishing vessels under their flags. These vessels could then evade regulations and oversight from their home countries, potentially leading to unregulated and unsustainable practices.

6. Overfishing of Nearby Waters:

In certain cases, overfishing of fish stocks in their own waters prompted some countries to send their fishing fleets to distant waters, including the lucrative fishing grounds located off the coasts of Canada and the United Kingdom.

The high levels of foreign cod catches had severe impacts on the local fishing industries, depleting fish stocks, affecting local livelihoods, and leading to conflicts and tensions with domestic fishermen. These challenges ultimately led to the adoption of extended jurisdiction measures, stricter fishing regulations, and international cooperation in fisheries management to address the issues and ensure sustainable fishing practices.