The Great Cod Collapse: Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 1992 COD

In the summer of 1992, one of the most devastating events in Canada’s economic and environmental history unfolded. The cod fisheries of Canada’s North Atlantic coast have been the cultural and economic foundation of Newfoundland since Europeans first sailed there in the 1400s and found an over-abundant population of Atlantic cod in the surrounding ocean. Over the centuries, the cod fishing industry continuously grew and helped build up the communities in Newfoundland that are still here today. However, because of technological advancements in trawling and decades of national and foreign overfishing in the mid-20th century, as well as flawed stock assessments, the cod populations were on the brink of collapse by the late-20th century. Despite warnings from marine scientists and troubling signs from coastal communities, the fisheries continued fishing. By the 90’s, cod landings were at an all-time low, and after years of failing to reach cod landing quotas, tensions were rising between fishers, policymakers, environmentalists, and corporate trawlers. The disaster was becoming clear: the cod population had collapsed, and the species was in danger of extinction if something wasn’t done immediately.

It is now July 1992, and the Canadian government must address this disaster to save the Atlantic cod populations and Newfoundland’s economy. In this committee, delegates will act as members of the Fisheries and Oceans Canada, a federal institution responsible for managing Canada’s fisheries and oceans resources. The different roles include a mix of policymakers, environmental experts, fishermen, economists, and more. There will be a blend of traditional and crisis elements: first, the committee must collaborate to establish a charter outlining the response to all potential issues concerning the population collapse and economic relief to the affected areas. Then, delegates will handle various crises based on both this charter and also their individual attempts to alter the turn of events in their favor. Delegates should be prepared to tackle many questions, such as: How will the thousands of fishermen survive without their main source of income? How can the population of cod be rejuvenated quickly enough for Newfoundland’s economy to survive? How will overfishing be prevented and new fishing laws be enforced? Will Newfoundland need a new main economic drive?

We hope that you join us and we look forward to seeing you in committee. It is up to you to decide whether the cod fishing industry survives!

Documents