Were obviously afraid, as the fish trapped were (7)

I believe the answer is:

cowered

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'were obviously afraid' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'the fish trapped were' is the wordplay.
'the fish' becomes 'cod' (cod is a kind of fish).
'trapped' is an insertion indicator.
'cod' enclosing 'were' is 'COWERED'.

'as' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cowered that I've seen before include "looked fearful" , "Cringed" , "Showed fear" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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