Cod Wars

Icelandic history

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

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The Cod Wars were a series of confrontations between Iceland and the United Kingdom over fishing rights. Iceland progressively extended its exclusive fishing zone from 3 nautical miles in 1950 to 200 miles by 1975. This expansion led to protests from the UK, whose navy protected British trawlers in Icelandic waters. The conflict, known as the Cod Wars, concluded in 1976 when Britain recognized Iceland's 200-mile fishing limit. Despite this victory, fish stocks around Iceland began to decline, necessitating restrictions on Iceland's own fishing activities.1

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Iceland
Fishing limits
…commonly known as the “Cod Wars,” came to an end in 1976 when Britain recognized the 200-mile limit. Although all the political parties supported the claim for Iceland’s dominance over the fishing grounds, only the more isolationist parties were willing to risk Iceland’s good relations with its NATO partners.
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…commonly known as the “Cod Wars,” came to an end in 1976 when Britain recognized the 200-mile limit. Although all the political parties supported the claim for Iceland’s dominance over the fishing grounds, only the more isolationist parties were willing to risk Iceland’s good relations with its NATO partners.
Read More