Gadus Morhua War: International Fisheries Conflicts during the Second Half of the Twentieth Century
08-13-2025
International Social Science Journal (Chinese Edition)
No.4, 2024
Gadus Morhua War: International Fisheries Conflicts during the Second Half of the Twentieth Century
(Abstract)
Ingo K. Heidbrink
The “gadus morhua war” between the 1950s and 1970s, a series of conflicts between Iceland and the United Kingdom over territorial waters and fishing rights can be examined within the context of the evolution of Western maritime sovereignty concepts, which aids to scrutinize how Iceland, a newly established nation, used its geographical advantages and international situations to safeguard its interests in the new maritime power situation triggered by the United States’ Truman Doctrine after World War II. It also reflects the decolonization process of the North Atlantic waters. Furthermore, by examining the development of modern German fishing technology and changes in market demand, it necessitates to place the frequently neglected Germany in the causes and course of this war, which contributes to understanding the multiple factors of international resource conflicts in a more comprehensive manner.