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Originally Posted by Raellus
With shortages of fossil fuels, catches couldn't be transported far inland. Fish would turn into a more local/regional food source.
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How far the fish would go inland depends a good deal on how it is preserved and transported. For instance, salted fish caught in the Gulf of Maine could go up the Merrimack to Manchester, NH. Even fresh fish might make it up there. In theory, fish could go up any of the navigable rivers of Maine fairly easily. There are many variables involved in the transportation challenge. It would be interesting to explore.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raellus
On the other hand, if the coastal population grew for some reason- refugees, perhaps, pulled east to find food (i.e seafood)- then supply becomes a bigger issue and controlling the fisheries would become more important.
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My thoughts exactly. Throughout 1998, refugees from Metro Boston and the interior of Maine will move to the coastal areas under the control of First District for food and physical security. As word spreads that the area under the control of First District is both relatively safe and blessed with enough food, and as chaos spreads during the course of the year, Southern Maine and Midcoast will draw more of the survivors from further inland. There may never seem to be enough fish—especially since the unhappy reality is that by 1997 the catch of everything except lobsters is running at a fraction of historical highs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raellus
I see a similar situation north of the border. In the former scenario, Canada's big coastal cities get hit and there's not likely going to be as much demand Canadian for fish either. Their fishing fleet, therefore, wouldn't have the need or the means to create that much competition for American fishing fleets.
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I’d like it if that is how it works out. However, the degree of actual competition might not be as great as the perception of competition. A string of bad catches may prompt the Americans to say, “And we’re just letting those Canucks take the fish our people need…!” Of course, cooler heads may prevail, too.