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Unit 1 Science Reading 
Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World
by Mark Kurlansky
 
Mark Kurlansky's 'fish tale' spans over 400 years of American and world history to reveal how something as seemingly insignificant as one species can alter the course of a country's history.

Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World
by Mark Kurlansky

Read Mark Kurlansky's Biography

Book Description
Cod is a brilliant essay on world history, american history and natural history. Very well written and researched.   It is a mega example of what has happened to many other species of fish coveted for their commercial or sport value. Our history is not encouraging in this respect. Though some of these species have partially recovered, the cod has a very very hard row to hoe given the passions, pressures, and traditions standing in its way.  The book is part history, part journalism, part cookbook.  It reviews how we managed to squander a major resource and what this means

Reading Assignment
Read the book and find the answers to these questions

Prologue
Chapter 1 Chapter 2
Kurlansky
Presentation

Cod Display or Summary
    Write a book summary that includes 3 or more of the following: 
(This could be done as a display in your classroom)

  • Title, author, # of pages.
  • Cod biology:  Cod description, Scientific name, environment, life cycle.
  • On a map indicate the Cod's geographical distribution 
  • Create a diagram (web) that shows the relationships between the various countries who are described as depending on and connected to the Cod trade. 
  • Make a drawing that shows equipment used to catch Cod.  Label with the type of boat, the name of the equiment, and the time (years) and the country that used it.
  • Identify the main problem that the author describes in this book, and explain if the problem is resolved or not, and how or why not.
  • Make a timeline of 10 major events through the book.


    • Class Discussion
    Class discussion about this book will happen in two ways. 
    1.  Your teacher will schedule time for your class to talk about the book.
    2.  Go online into the SOAR-High Class Discussion (GDOC) and read comments from other students.  Add your own comments responding to the teacher question.   Go back to GDOC on another day and read and respond again. 

    Related Links
    Conservation Perspectives: A review by Karlene Schwartz, UMass
    Cod Biology 
    (the 'History' link on the site above includes good illustrations & info related to the book)
    Mark Kurlansky's Biography
    The Fishing Station
    Preserving Cod
    The Basques
    Cod science
    Guide to Ocean Bottom Topography
    North Atlantic Fisheries
    The Cod Wars
    Decline of the Cod Stocks
    Dying seas threaten extinction to cod
    Lost Fishermen page
    Marine Biology - Cod
    BBC News - Prawn Nets reduce Cod Catch
    BBC News: Cod faces extinction July, 2000
    BBC News: Extinction threat to cod October, 2002
    Cod on 'brink of extinction' June 2003
    Cod Catch Rates 1986-1990
    Petty Harbour Photos
    Map of Newfoundland & Labrador
    Sentinel Fisheries Programs


    a Bottom Trawl


    These web pages and some supporting images were generated with IDL.

    Copyright © 1999 Gallaudet University
    Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
    All Rights Reserved
    Mon Jan 6 05:23:32 2003