I recall one late night in the Codroy Valley on the west coast of NF. Among the neighbours at the session was a demure elderly lady who would take no drink and quietly tapped her hand on her knee to the tunes with a constant saintly smile, as if her name, Mary, was truly befitting. At midnight, tea and coffee and cakes were served to prime the guests for the last go and the topic of the tragedy in the cod fishery came up. There was much discussion. Our host turned to Mary and asked of her thoughts. "It's da fuckin' seals !", she replied emphatically. Most nodded in agreement and the session resumed. I had to head outdoors immediately to take a breath of air and to try to stop laughing.

And it is the seals. You can endorse the seal hunt or kiss the cod goodbye, pun intended. The salmon are next, if they are not already as bad off as the cod.