MARINE RESOURCES, SUBMERGED HERITAGE AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN THE SUBARCTIC SEA

The position of Iceland in the North Atlantic, just below the Arctic Circle, where opposing ocean currents meet, creates an oceanic front, which supports a rich marine environment around the island. Iceland was settled in the late 9th century and for the first two hundred years, the economy was primarily based on agriculture. The economic importance of marine resources increased in the 13th and 14th centuries and eventually marine resources dominated the economy of Iceland. Throughout the centuries marine resources, especially cod and whales, have been exploited commercially by both Icelanders and different European nations, which has left behind rich heritage remains both on the shore and in the sea. This chapter will show that the Icelandic seascape is dominated by the Icelandic cod fisheries and whaling, while the former is Icelandic, the latter is exclusively European in nature. It will also show that it is important to view the Icelandic seascape not only from an Icelandic but also from a European perspective as the North Atlantic fishing and whaling grounds were an inseparable part of the seascape for many different communities across Europe.