Atlantic Cod

The Atlantic Cod is a widely consumed species of fish, which can be found in the Atlantic Ocean.
While the Europeans explored North America in search for a passage to Asia, they discovered an abundance of huge cod and started fishing along the coast. After they perfected the technique of preserving cod through drying and salting, they started to transport it back to Europe which fueled trade and business for the new colonies.
In the present, the Atlantic cod is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.