A moving and compelling book that paints a picture of the history and significance of cod, especially for the Baltic Sea region. It also describes how fishing practices that were allowed to become increasingly large-scale depleted the cod stock until it collapsed and fishing had to be halted.

The book also describes the consequences and effects of this collapse, both on the ecosystem and on society, where it has had major repercussions along the coasts.We also learn how the mechanisms that wiped out the cod stocks are allowed to continue operating in the Baltic Sea, now targeting herring and sprat with industrial trawls. Despite the somber subject matter, the book is a wonderful and engaging read. It also offers some glimmers of hope.

We know the author, Peter Löfgren, as a journalist and as a highly regarded moderator for our most recent Baltic Sea seminars.

Peter himself is uncertain about the future of cod in the Baltic Sea, even though the book highlights some reasons for cautious optimism; falling salinity and rising water temperatures pose challenges for an animal whose ideal habitat is cold, salty water.

Peter is more optimistic when it comes to control over the sea and the possibility of changing fishing practices in the Baltic Sea, thanks to growing public awareness, as reflected in the stance taken by the European Parliament through its adoption of the so-called Baltic Sea Report, which, among other things, calls for a halt to large-scalefeed fish harvesting.

We believe that the Baltic Sea Agreement has a role to play in ensuring that the report and the political majority currently in the Riksdag are translated into decisions and measures to adapt Baltic Sea fisheries to a sustainable ecosystem.