Facts - in the name of cod

Bycatch cod from the Viking Bank

So the Viking Bank area that we've been spending a lot of our time in is a major cod fishery, and we've had the cod jokes on a roll since the beginning of the campaign. A friend lent me a book that I have since discovered to be the cod bible: "Cod - A biography of the fish that changed the world" by Mark Kurlansky. It describes the amazing history of the fish and its incredible influence over the history of the modern western civilisation. Considering we're trying to save the last of the cod in the North Sea, I thought it was a good idea to bring some of the facts about cod, they're way more interesting than fish fingers...

- Cod produce a natural anti-freeze that allows them to cruise the icy northern oceans.
- Cod are omnivorous, swimming with their mouths open they will eat anything that fits, including young cod!
- Cod flesh is white, whiter than most other fish because its muscle tissue is not built for speed, but for quick action to catch prey. For this reason cod are usually unable to out-run trawlers.
- For a long time - particularly in England, the word fish was synonymous with cod.
- Cod are believed to have existed as the species we know today for about 120 million years.
- In New England cod is referred to as the "sacred cod". Folk lore suggests that it was the fish Jesus used to feed the 5,000 but more likely to be because of its value to the local economy.
- In the UK most cod are caught in Scotland but eaten in England - the Scots prefer haddock!
- A female cod about a metre long can produce 3 million eggs in a spawning.
- A cod surviving to a year old has virtually no predators from then onwards, other than man.

Hmm, that's just the beard on the cod's chin. They are surprisingly interesting fish - really!

On an interesting tangent, there's an online auction of some pretty classy customised boogie boards, designed by a range of artists to help support the Greenpeace Defending Oceans campaign. Boogie boards, art for the oceans, I like it!

- Elaine

Posted by

In French, the cod (Gadus morhua) is called "morue" when dried and salted but "cabillaud" when fresh or frozen. Most consumers think that "morue" and "cabillaud" are two different species of fish.

Posted by: Francois at September 23, 2004 07:25 AM

How is it going out there?
I have been on land now for so long, I have almost forgotten what life is like on a GP ship.
Good luck for the rest of the campaign.
Geoff

Two prawns, Justin and Christian, are swimming around in the sea.

They are constantly being harassed and threatened by sharks that patrol the area.

Finally, one day, Justin says to Christian, "I'm bored and frustrated at being a prawn, I wish I was a shark, then I wouldn't have to worry about being eaten."

Just as Justin is fantasising about being a big, strong predator, a mysterious cod appears and says, "Your wish is granted", and lo and behold Justin is transformed into a shark.

Horrified by what's just happened and afraid of being eaten by his old mate, Christian swims away.

After a while of being a shark, Justin finds himself becoming bored and lonely. Whenever he approaches his old mates they all scurry away.

While out swimming alone one day, Justin sees the mysterious cod again and begs the cod to work its magic and turn him back into a prawn so he can hang out with his friends again.

The cod agrees and Justin is tranformed back into a prawn.

With tears of joy in his little eyes, he swims back to his friends but his old pal Christian is nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Christian?" he asked. "He's at home, completely distraught that his best friend changed sides and became a shark," the other prawns tell Justin.

So, eager to put things right again and end their mutual pain and torture, he sets off to Christian's house.

Banging on the door in an attempt to make up with his pal, he shouts: "Christian, it's me, Justin, your old friend. Please come out and see me again."

"No way," Christian replies. "You're a shark, you're the enemy and not to be trusted. How do I know you won't eat me?"

"It's OK now," argues Justin, "I'm not a shark any more. That was the old me. I've changed. I've seen Cod. I'm a prawn again Christian!"

Posted by: Geoffyboy at September 23, 2004 07:19 PM

Groan!!!!!!!! -that was TERRIBLE - but made me laugh!

Posted by: The Lorax at September 25, 2004 12:17 AM