In the 1970s Iceland was catching about 350,000 tonnes of cod a year, but now it's a little under 200,000...

This story from BBC News Online outlines the difficult choice faced by Europe's cod fisherman and the quota setting authorities between following the latest scientific advice which says that cod and other "white" fish face extinction if quotas are not drastically reduced and the loss of a large proportion of the fishing industry in the north of England, Scotland, France, the Netherlands + Ireland.

As fish numbers have reduced the fishing technology has also improved. This means it is possible that our enhanced ability to locate and catch fish gives us a false sense of security... this false hope and belated reform seem to have already doomed cod stocks in the North Atlantic.