National Network for Equitable Library Service

This piece was created to mark the tenth anniversary of an environmental catastrophe in the North Atlantic. The gigantic Northern Cod Stock discovered by European fishermen five centuries ago prompted the settlement of Newfoundland and was known as the 'Greatest Fishery in the World,' In July 1992 the once-massive fish stocks were discovered to have collapsed and a two year fishing ban was introduced. 30,000 fishery workers were thrown on the dole. A decade later fish stocks have not rebounded and the fishery remains closed. Many fishermen either have left the island or are destitute; many politicians and scientists who squandered the resource have retired on generous government pensions.