The 1980s-1990s studies initially concluded that fish stocks in the best-known fishing areas such as the Mediterranean and Grand Banks were down 80-90% from levels in the 1950s and 60s. Further historical research concluded that the fish stocks in the 50s-60s were ALREADY 80-90% depleted from pre-Victorian levels. When Cabot 'discovered' the Grand Banks (probably already fished from Europe on the quiet), he described being able to fill a basket with cod just by dipping it in the water, and the biggest cod were as big as the ship's rowing boat.