Sacred Cod 2016
Distributed by Bullfrog Films, PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547; 800-543-FROG (3764)
Produced by Cody Wolf Productions
Directed by Steve Liss, Andy Laub, David Abel
DVD, color, 65 min.
High School - General Adult
Ecology, Biology, Fisheries
Date Entered: 03/12/2018
Reviewed by Kristan Majors, Woodruff Library, Emory UniversityThe filmmakers do a wonderful job providing a balanced view of the many issues impacting this New England fishery and community. Scientists, politicians, and fishermen explain their opinions and frustrations. The cinematography is amazing and is essential for capturing the story from the late night fishing trips to the town hall meetings. This is not an easy film to watch as careers and communities are lost. There are no easy answers or solutions here, but hopefully viewers will hear the fishermen’s pleas to work together and will learn how to do just that for managing the Commons.
This documentary is must have for all courses about fisheries, environmental management, and the Tragedy of the Commons. For any courses studying the scientific, political, or cultural impacts of the Atlantic cod fishery this is an essential purchase. No other documentary or television program is available as a substitution about cod fisheries. Sacred Cod will compliment and update the classic documentary, The Last Hunters: The Cod War, but it can not replace this 1990’s film.
This documentary is appropriate for public and academic library collections and is recommended for campus and community film series. The Sacred Cod web site does provide additional information for viewers.