Final answer:
The most popular catch among early European fishermen in the New World, specifically off the coast of Newfoundland, was cod. This was due to the fish's abundance and its importance as a protection against famine in Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Junger, the most popular catch among early European fishermen fishing off the coast of Newfoundland in the New World was cod. Fishermen from the Basque and Portuguese regions were drawn to the Grand Banks, exploiting the rich cod fisheries well before Christopher Columbus's voyages. The importance of cod fishing cannot be overstated, as it provided a critical food source during times such as the Little Ice Age, when fear of famine was palpable in Europe. As such, cod fishing was not only a staple economic activity but also a shield against starvation. The extensive fishing of cod, to the point of overfishing, has led to significant ecological concerns and impacts on the European economy over time.