Norfish French North East Atlantic Cod Fishery 1520–1829

The French cod fishery “may” be sourced as early as the 12th century when Basques crossed the Atlantic in search of whales. In the 15th century, following the Basques, Bretons and Normans were active off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. By about 1550, Dunkerque fishers became active in the North Sea, catching cod that migrated from the English Channel. (Hersart de La Villemarqué 1995, p.9)This dataset focuses on French catches off the coast of Iceland and in the North Sea but may include catches in the Channel and surrounding waters. Little is known about the 15th and 16th centuries in statistical terms. As per the examples above, some anecdotal evidence is available to verify the activity of a fishery.