Sacred Cod

Gr 9 Up—Gloucester, MA, has been the home of the cod fishing industry since the mid-1800s. Cod has ensured a way of life that has been passed on for generations. But cod stocks are historically low, and the probability of catastrophic collapse is high. Yet the few fishermen still trolling the New England waters seem to be pulling in large numbers of the fish and loudly oppose the quotas and limits imposed on them by government agencies. Scientists, on the other hand, explain that the stocks are depleted and may not reproduce enough to replenish the dwindling population. These opposing viewpoints form the basis of this highly personal and emotional discussion. The fishermen are fighting for their livelihoods and the jobs they have held for generations. The scientists believe that unlimited codfish hauls are no longer viable. The anger and sorrow shown by the profiled fishermen as they watch their lifestyle and customs slip away is countered by the objective and fact-filled information presented by the scientists entrusted with studying and maintaining the cod. The human consequences of overfishing, climate change, and long-neglected safeguards are clear. However, the film would have benefited from a clearer explanation of the quota system prescribed by government agencies limiting the amount of cod to be taken per year.