'Shrinking' Cod: How Humans Have Altered the Genetic Make-up of Fish
10 Articles
10 Articles
'Shrinking' cod: How humans have altered the genetic make-up of fish
Cod used to be giants. With their impressive size—over a meter in length and weighing up to 40 kilograms—and abundance, they, alongside herring, were the backbone of the Baltic fishery. Today, a fully grown cod would fit neatly on a dinner plate. That is, if fishing them were still permitted: due to the collapse of the stock, a ban on targeted cod fishing has been in place since 2019.
An international research team with Danish participation has discovered why fully grown cod are half as long as they were 25 years ago.
The smaller fish were able to slip out of the fishing nets. In twenty-five years, the average length decreased from 40 to 20 centimeters, and the body weight decreased by a fifth.

Humans have forced cod to shrink in size by half since 1990s, scientists find
Fast-growing cod have almost disappeared from the Baltic
Scientists have investigated the condition of coastal cod in the south and west, and believe that action is necessary.
Scientists have investigated the condition of coastal cod in the south and west, and believe that action is necessary.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources lean Left
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium