Always thought this was an interesting bit of history, and in view of what is happening in the South China Sea now, perhaps instructive. Three “Cod Wars” between 1958 and 1976, it is a David vs Goliath tale of small (but ice strengthened) ships taking on a much larger and stronger force to protect their fishing industry, and ultimately winning what became the internationally recognized Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Icelandic Coast Guard used net cutters and occasionally opened fire. Ships were intentionally rammed. Ultimately Iceland won because they were needed as a base for NATO operation, otherwise it might have turned out very differently.