Everything Everywhere Daily · Monday, September 14, 2026
From 1958 to 1976, Iceland engaged in the 'Cod Wars' with the United Kingdom to protect its cod fisheries from British overfishing. Iceland unilaterally extended its territorial waters to 200 nautical miles, leading to confrontations where the Icelandic Coast Guard rammed British vessels and cut their nets. Iceland's strategic importance to NATO ultimately led to Britain recognizing the extended economic zone.
“Iceland resisted during a period known as the Cod Wars, from roughly 1958 to 1976.”
“After failed efforts to convince the British to stop overfishing, Iceland extended its territorial control by moving the limit from three miles offshore to 200.”
“The Icelandic Coast Guard began ramming ships to drive them away and even cut their fishing nets, but the British refused to recognize Iceland's extended territory in the waters around Iceland.”
“Realizing the severity of the situation, the British acquiesced and granted Iceland an exclusive economic zone of 200 miles.”