The Lobster Coast and Poseidon's Rifles

[Webstral]

My new bathroom reading is The Lobster Coast, which is a history of t coastal Maine by Colin Woodard (the author of American Nations). Reading it makes me think about Poseidon’s Rifles. I did some homework on the cod fisheries of the northwestern Atlantic. Though they were in tough shape in 1997, they were not at total collapse yet. Thinking about the relationship between American and Canadian fishing, I had more ugly ideas than in the past. The Canadian Navy would have been devastated by the very extensive strikes on the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec. (Too bad Canada had no nukes, right?) I know now what USCGC Gallatin was doing when she was at sea 1998-2001. She was eliminating Canadian competition for cod and other fish from George’s Bank at the entrance to the Gulf of Maine to Grand Bank off Newfoundland. This is a very unhappy thought. Yet we’re talking Twilight: 2000, right? Former allies turn on each other all the time after the nuclear exchange. Why would northeastern North America be any different? “Anti-piracy” easily could morph into missions to keep the Canadians from exploiting fisheries anywhere fishing vessels operating out of Maine, New Hampshire, and northeastern Massachusetts could reach.

Ugh. I feel dirty and awful contemplating the idea that the US Coast Guard essentially would wage war against the fishing boats and communities of the Atlantic Provinces. That’s Twilight: 2000, though.

[Raellus]

It's an interesting idea. I can see it happening. I wonder, however, if it would really be necessary.

With shortages of fossil fuels, catches couldn't be transported far inland. Fish would turn into a more local/regional food source. After the nuclear strikes and the chaos that would surely follow, would coastal populations be up or down? If the latter, so would demand, and, therefore, controlling the supply wouldn't be as important- at least, not important enough to go to war over.

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.

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.

As I've written this, I've pretty much convinced myself that a shooting war over fisheries wouldn't be worth it. Due to population loss and limits on fossil fuels, industrial-scale fishing would decrease, the fisheries could recover naturally, and there'd be plenty of fish for the survivors of both New England and Eastern Canada. It doesn't seem like it would be worthwhile making enemies over.

[kalos72]

In my world, coastal communities are crucial for the areas survival so this scenario is very feasible to me.

Without control of the waters around you, you are vulnerable to the likes of the UBF and such.

Life on the water is always going to be easier...think of the colonies.

[Webstral]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by Webstral

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.

I'd thought about salting the fish, but then I'm assuming getting large quantities of salt would also require energy. And refrigeration would as well. I think available energy would dictate how much fish could be preserved via salting and how far fish, either salted or refrigerated could be transported. And then, fishing fleets and the warships sent to defend them and/or raid Canadian shipping would need energy too. How much would there be to go around? During wartime, I think this would be a much bigger challenge than when things had settled down somewhat. In terms of long-term recover, those fisheries could prove crucial. There are a lot of factors to consider.

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by kalos72

Life on the water is always going to be easier...think of the colonies.

Which ones? Coastal life can also be dangerous. Think about the coastal communities within range of Viking raiders or 16th-17th century freebooters. I wouldn't be surprised to see a resurgence of groups that make their living raiding coastal communities.

[kalos72]

Dealing with the rare occasion of a viking raid versus the thousands of starving turned marauder refugees inland is a trade off I am ok with.

I myself are using the idea of developing a string of outposts along the Gulf and up the East Coast to help rebuild.

Water travel is going to much easier and much safer for the short term anyways.

As for preservation, simple sun drying will accomplish ALOT.

[Brother in Arms]

This is a very interesting idea Web.

Hopefully I can add some perspective being that I am from the interior of Maine. I grew up in the town of Mexico, Oxford county.

here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to Maine especially in the interior.

last week it snowed 20" in the course of one night. Now this is march mind you and this winter has been more like they were 25-30 years ago. Many nights and days have been between 0 and -10 Fahrenheit and even colder.

I think many people from the Interior of Maine would move toward the coast due to the harshness of the winter found in the interior of the state. And with no plow trucks running and no money for road salt/sand the roads would be closed all winter. Therefore people would have to resort so snowmobiles, dog sleds, ski's and snow shoes.

The weather on coast tends to be warmer and have less snow that alone could be a reason to move.

Food could be good reason to move, to the coast.

If I was to live in my hometown post Twilight war. I would have to farm in the warmer months. Surprisingly corn grows well here due to the excellent soil. But the growing season is very short. Potatoes grow well here also and typical garden veggies. Hunting for Partridge (ruffled grouse), gray squirrels, white tail deer, black bear, moose would be good as well as trapping all manner of fur bearing animals. We have everything from muskrat and beaver, to mink, pine marten, fisher. As well as critters like Coyotes and racoons. Next would be fishing rivers and streams during spring for fish that run like smelts. And fishing for trout, salmon ect. in summer and fall. Ice fishing in winter would probably be a pretty productive means of getting food and maybe your only way to get food. however you are very exposed while ice fishing and one man with a good hunting rifle could kill off an entire party of men ice fishing pretty easily from a concealed position on a hillside.

There is no shortage of fish like mackerel and strippers off the coast of Maine. And I don't think transporting the fish up the major rivers like the Androgscoggin, Kennebec, Penobscot, would be difficult. Also in sprung there are fish that run like smelts, eels, elvers and ale-wives that run in these rivers in coastal areas.

Could I imagine coastal fisheries being fought over? Sure why not happened several times in the past why not again.

Brother in Arms