According to new research published in Science Advances by Department of Anthropology Associate Professor George Hambrecht and colleagues, the cod you eat today likely came from a fish much smaller and younger than its ancestors—and humans are at least partially to blame.

Looking at the inner ear bones of the centuries-old cod—collected and analyzed at 12 former fish production sites in Iceland that date back to the second half of the 9th century through to the 19th century—Dr. Hambrecht and colleagues found that cod who lived during the 10th–12th centuries were, on average, 25% larger and up to three times older than the cod we see and eat today.

This study was supported by a $1,750,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, for which Hambrecht is named the Principal Investigator.

Congratulations, Dr. Hambrecht! 

For further information, visit: https://bsos.umd.edu/featured-content/new-research-paints-clearer-picture-humans-impact-common-fish-species