Timeline of Cod Wars
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The Proto War - 1952-1956
March 1952
Iceland formally expands its fishing jurisdiction from a 3 nautical mile (nm) limit to a 4 nm boundary.
1952
In response, the United Kingdom imposes a ban on the landing of Icelandic fish at its ports.
Iceland decides to escalate the matter by bringing the issue before the International Court of Justice for resolution.
During this period, Russia begins to import Icelandic fish, followed by the United States, Spain, and Italy, all of which start acquiring fish from Iceland.
1956
Iceland successfully establishes its 4 nm exclusion zone for fishing activities.
1958
Two years thereafter, the United Nations convenes a significant conference concerning the Law of the Sea, involving 86 nations. The outcome of this assembly results in the decision to extend the fishing exclusion zone from 4 nm to a newly established limit of 12 nm.
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First Cod War - 09/01/1958-03/11/1961
September 1, 1958
Iceland’s decision to expand its fishing zone has drawn opposition from NATO allies. In response, the United Kingdom announces that its fishing trawlers will operate within this newly established zone under the protection of its naval forces. To reinforce this commitment, the UK deploys a fleet comprising 20 trawlers, four warships, and a supply vessel to the contested area.
September 1, 1958
In Iceland, public protests erupt as the government seeks to assert its rights over the extended territorial waters.
September 4, 1958
An incident occurs when an Icelandic coast guard vessel attempts to detain a British trawler. The operation is thwarted by a Royal Navy ship, resulting in a collision between the two vessels.
October 6, 1958
Tensions escalate when an Icelandic patrol vessel opens fire on a British trawler, compelling it to retreat into open waters.
November 12, 1958
Another confrontation arises as an Icelandic coast guard ship fires upon a British trawler operating just outside the officially designated fishing area. The Royal Navy intervenes, issuing a stern warning to the Icelandic forces to cease hostilities, threatening retaliation should further aggression occur.
February 1961
At a United Nations conference, a significant diplomatic breakthrough occurs between the UK and Iceland. The two nations agree that Iceland will maintain and enforce its 12-nautical-mile fishing limit, while the UK will retain fishing rights in the outer 6-nautical-mile zone for a period of three years. Furthermore, it is agreed that any future expansions of Iceland’s fishing boundaries will be adjudicated by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, rather than through unilateral actions by Iceland.
This initial conflict, often referred to as the First Cod War, involved a substantial military presence, with the UK deploying 37 Royal Navy vessels and approximately 7,000 sailors to protect its fishing fleet against six Icelandic gunboats and around 100 coastguard personnel.
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Second Cod War - 09/1972-11/1973
In an effort to preserve its fish stocks and enhance its share of global fish catches, Iceland made the significant decision to extend its fishing limits from 12 nautical miles (nm) to 50 nm. Although there were considerations for a more extensive 200 nm limit, the 50 nm boundary was deemed more feasible for implementation.
The United Kingdom, however, challenged Iceland’s claims, asserting its right to ensure a maximum catch quota for British fishermen and to prevent the establishment of unilateral decisions as a standard practice.
September 1, 1972
Legislation was ratified to expand Iceland’s fishing limits to 50 nm.
September 2, 1972
In defiance of the new regulations, British and German trawlers continued to operate within the designated zone. In response, the Icelandic coastguard actively pursued 16 trawlers, ultimately forcing them out of the 50 nm area.
September 5, 1972
The Icelandic patrols escalated their efforts by employing net cutters against British trawlers, marking a significant increase in hostilities.
November 25, 1972
An unfortunate incident occurred when a crew member aboard a German trawler sustained a serious head injury from a wire that was severed during these confrontations.
January 23, 1973
Icelandic patrols were temporarily diverted from their mission due to a volcanic eruption on a nearby island, necessitating rescue operations for local residents.
May 17, 1973
Although British trawlers initially retreated from the contested waters, they returned two days later under the protection of the Royal Navy.
August 29, 1973
A serious incident unfolded when an Icelandic coastguard vessel collided with a British trawler, resulting in the first fatality of the ongoing tensions.
September 16, 1973
Increasing public pressure in Iceland led to discussions about the country’s membership in NATO, as citizens felt that the alliance had not adequately supported them during the ongoing disputes.
October 8, 1973
In a bid to resolve the escalating conflict, the Secretary General of NATO visited Iceland. This diplomatic engagement culminated in an agreement that restricted UK trawlers to a catch limit of 130,000 tons of fish, while also involving the recall of British frigates from the contested waters. This accord was set to expire in 1975. This series of events highlights the complexities surrounding fishing rights and international relations, illustrating how resource management can lead to significant diplomatic tensions.
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Third Cod War - 11/1975-06/1976
July 15, 1975
At a United Nations conference, several nations voiced their support for establishing a 100 nautical mile limit for territorial waters. In contrast, Iceland made a bold move by unilaterally extending its territorial claims to 200 nautical miles. This decision was met with resistance from the British government, which refused to acknowledge Iceland’s new boundaries, leading to renewed tensions between the two countries.
December 11, 1975
Icelandic patrol vessels intercepted three British fishing ships operating within the newly defined territorial limits. Initially, the British tugboats complied with orders to vacate the area; however, they soon reversed course and collided with an Icelandic coastguard vessel that was attempting to overtake them. This incident escalated into a confrontation, during which shots were fired, causing significant damage to one of the British vessels.
February 19, 1976
The conflict intensified as Icelandic ships began cutting the nets of British fishing vessels, resulting in further incidents and casualties.
February 19, 1976
In response to the escalating situation, the British government deployed a formidable naval presence, sending 22 frigates and reactivating additional vessels equipped with reinforced bows and ramming gear. Alongside these frigates, Britain mobilized seven supply ships, nine tugboats, and three support vessels to safeguard its fishing interests, leading to considerable structural damage as they engaged with Icelandic gunboats.
May 6, 1976
In a show of force, Iceland dispatched four patrol vessels and two armed trawlers. Despite efforts to acquire more gunboats, Iceland faced restrictions and was denied additional military support.
May 6, 1976
In a strategic maneuver, Iceland threatened to close a NATO base located within its territory, a move that could significantly hinder NATO’s capacity to defend the Atlantic region against potential Soviet expansion.
June 1, 1976
In a bid to de-escalate the situation, Britain agreed to keep its fishing operations outside of Iceland’s established 200 nautical mile exclusion zone, marking a temporary compromise in the ongoing maritime dispute.