Cod only knows: UMaine’s Steven J. Hornsby talks his new book

University of Maine professor Stephen J. Hornsby has published a book celebrating the rich and fascinating history of cod fisheries and their impact on the cultural fabric of the region.

A professor of geography and Canadian Studies in the Department of Anthropology, Hornsby has written Cod Coasts: Cultural Landscapes of the Cod Fishery from Cape Cod to Labrador. The book was published by the University of Maine Press in November; you can purchase a copy here.

It is a thoughtfully investigated and visually impressive volume, one that takes the reader on a journey through the many coastal communities whose cultures have been shaped by cod fishing and the traditions inherent to that practice.

Hornsby’s meticulous research and captivating images take readers up the coastal waters of the Eastern seaboard, moving from Cape Cod all the way to the remote Canadian shores of Labrador. Cod Coasts is an exploration of all aspects of the cod fishing industry, from commerce to culture.

The following is a brief Q&A with Stephen Hornsby, where he offers his thoughts on the writing process, the origins of his interest in the industry, and more.

What was the process of researching and writing this book like?

The idea for the book took root when I first visited Fortress Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island in June 1980. I was a young graduate student, fresh from England, and just starting a PhD in Geography at the University of British Columbia. My research was to be on Scottish immigration and settlement in Cape Breton. My supervisor thought I should see something of the island and arranged for me to attend a small meeting of contributors to the Historical Atlas of Canada project, which was just underway. The meeting was held in a comfortable stone room in the reconstructed French fortress, which is now a significant Parks Canada historic site. From that visit, I co-wrote an article with geographer Graeme Wynn, entitled “Walking through the Past,” about the preservation and reconstruction of historic sites in Nova Scotia. It was my first publication. The setting of the fortress on the bleak coast of Cape Breton lingered in my memory and I knew that I would write something more. Since that visit, I have spent a good deal of time visiting historic sites associated with the cod fishery in Atlantic Canada and New England, accumulating knowledge and getting to know the experts. Geographers like nothing better than being in the field, so the process has been great fun!      

What was it about this particular fishery that drew your attention?

The cod fishery was the first European industry in North America. For centuries, the fishery supported a massive transatlantic commercial enterprise out of European Atlantic ports, as well as creating fishing settlements on this side of the Atlantic. Some of these settlements are remarkable historical survivals. Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many settlements are set in extraordinary physical settings, none more striking than Battle Harbour on the east coast of Labrador. It may be the most evocative historical site that I’ve seen in North America. I organized a small geography conference there in 2005. The island has no permanent inhabitants and the generator supplying power packed up before we arrived. Kerosene light seemed the appropriate way of experiencing such a place. 

Why is it important for people to understand this industry?

The cod fishery was a major industry employing thousands of people for nearly 500 years. Because of over-exploitation, the fishery was closed in Atlantic Canada in the early 1990s and has not reopened. Many of the fishing settlements, particularly in Newfoundland and Labrador, lost their economic base virtually overnight. Several scholars have looked at the economic and environmental history of the cod fishery, but none to my knowledge has focused on the fishery’s cultural landscapes. With the rise of heritage tourism, it seemed an appropriate moment to look at these settlements and make people aware of their historical importance.   

Was there a favorite fact or story that came out of writing the book?

No facts or stories! The greatest pleasure in producing the book was working with talented colleagues. I worked with a drone photographer in St. John’s, Newfoundland, directing him to take specific views of the coast and settlements. To my eye, these photos are as definitive as one can get. I also enjoyed working with Michael Hermann, who drew the maps, and with Michael Alpert, recently retired director of the University of Maine Press, who designed the book. I visited a number of these sites with my wife, Anne Knowles, and she provided welcome comments on the book manuscript.

Do you have a favorite cod dish?

I’ve eaten cod dishes in Canada, the UK, Portugal, Spain, and Italy and they have all been delicious!